Sister Anna Joseph Van Acker, OP, made her final profession of vows as a Dominican Sister of St. Cecilia Congregation in Nashville, Tenn., on July 25.

She was among nine young women who made their perpetual profession of the simple vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience as Dominican sisters. Sister Anna Joseph  is a former member of St. Patrick Parish in Aurora.

She is the daughter of Chris and Sue Van Acker, also parishioners at St. Patrick.

She is a graduate of Rosary High School in Aurora and of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in Catholic Studies, Elementary Education. She is teaching at St. Joseph School in Madison, Tenn.

The Mass for the Rite of Perpetual Religious Profession was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville. Bishop David R. Choby of Nashville was the principal celebrant.

The homilist was Father Wojciech Giertych, OP, theologian of the Papal Household, Vatican City.