Parishioners and clergy of Saint Catherine’s Church of Emporia gathered Thursday afternoon to wish farewell to the Guadalupe Sisters of Christ the King.
The nuns have departed Emporia and are returning to Mexico, likely permanently, after being a well-known presence in the community for at least the last 30 years. Before their departure, Father Nicholas Ashmore of Saint Catherine’s offered a blessing for their travels.
Father Ashmore declined a recorded interview but did speak with KVOE News prior to the nun’s departure and offered his thanks for their service to the community over the last several decades. While they will be missed, Father Ashmore says their departure is a natural progression of any community and one that has been occurring around the country for the last several years with Emporia being one of the last communities to see such a departure.
As previously mentioned, the sisters have had a presence in Emporia for at least 30 years. Father Ashmore says there will be no other changes in church operations, however, there is no word currently on if another religious order will be replacing the departing nuns.
