GNSHappenings: August

Written on: September 26, 2016

• The Olympic Games were celebrated at Holy Redeemer/Lafayette in Philadelphia, PA from Monday, August 12, through Friday, August l7, 2016.  A wide variety of participants from independent living and personal care, plus residential staff joined together to compete for Gold, Silver and Bronze medals under the flags of France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy and the United States. More than 25 residents participated in shotput, javelin throw, Frisbee  golf, giant disk and soccer.  There were also an impressive number of cheerleaders and friends showing support and enthusiasm. Our organizer, Joan Maher the  Residential Activities Director at Holy Redeemer/Lafayette, provided flags, music, personal assistants, prizes and above all spirit to this community activity.  Grey nuns, Joan McElwain, Teresa LaBrake, Jane O’Connor, Rose Mary Cauley, Patricia Kelly, Mary Salvadore, Connie Welsh, Maureen Quigley, Joan McCann, Marie Cecile Egan and Anne Zita Crudden participated  in the events  and even took home a few medals.  New friends, good laughs and lots of fun were all in abundance!

• On Sunday, September 18th, Sister Denise Roche together with the former president of Bonaventure University, Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF received the Newman Award at the Mass of the Holy Spirit at St. Joseph’s University Church. Area GNSH were in attendance.

Sister Ellie Martinez planned a creative way to celebrate her 60^th Jubilee. She was not able to attend the Congregational celebration because of a prior commitment to do the invocation at  D’Youville’s graduation.  Instead, on Friday, September 16^th area Grey Nuns were invited to a river ride on the ‘Grand Lady’ for a tour of the Niagara River. Afterwards, the Sisters enjoyed supper together at Chef’s Restaurant in downtown Buffalo.  Congratulations, Sr.Ellie!- that’s really not your boat!

• The Buffalo Associate group supported by Sister Ruth Penksa, Friends of Marguerite GNSHA, plans a different activity for each of their monthly meetings. In September, in view of their pro-life stance, they attended a public policy forum on physician assisted suicide sponsored by the Diocese.Sister is also involved in a wonderful Bible study at her parish that will focus on the Gospel of John for the coming year.
• Sacred Heart Center held one of several LCWR sponsored peace focused prayer services on 9/11. Sister Donna Lord led the service, attended by Grey Nuns, Associates and members of local parishes.  Sister Joan Daly will present the Center’s next offering on October  3^rd, ‘An Introduction to Centering Prayer.’
• Since June, Sister Barbara Harrington has been offering required Baptism preparation classes for parents and godparents from Holy Angels and Holy Cross Parishes. Sister also supports the CCD programs, Food Pantry and Children’s Cupboard.
• Sister Nora Friel took to the air on a recent vacation at the Jersey shore went she went para-sailing with a family member. A modern-day version of the ‘flying Nun!’ It was great fun and both women landed safely!

You’re never too young to experience something new!

• A big thank you to Sr. Kath Hannan for providing refreshments for the recent meeting at Holy Redeemer-Lafayette.
• Sisters are collecting things and need your help:

• Anne Boyer is collecting Labels for Education and
• Eileen Spanier is collecting plastic bags for a project to help the homeless.

Please contact them for more details.

• And, the following is from Eileen Dickerson:

Recently I attended a meeting at Holy Redeemer Lafayette, a place 52 Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart now call home. On the elevator, a woman asked me if I “was going to the party.” Apparently, there was a “Centenarian” party that day for residents who were 100 years or older. I said no, I was on my way to work and that I worked for the Grey Nuns. The woman, who was the daughter of a resident, visibly brightened, telling me, how wonderful our sisters are and what a positive difference their presence has made at Lafayette. Which just goes to show that Grey Nuns engage in ministry, even when they are supposedly retired. It made my day!

This entry was posted in From our Sisters and tagged: Baptism preparation, Centering Prayer, Food Pantry, GNSHA, Olympic Games, peace prayer