GNSHappenings- October 2018

Written on: November 12, 2018

GNSHAssociate News   

Submitted by: Angel Conicelli, GNSHA. Associate Program Director

New Associate, Terry Beam

On Saturday, October 13, 2018, Philadelphia Area GNSH Associates renewed their yearly Commitment. All present welcomed Terry Beam as she made her first Commitment. Thirteen Associates and thirty-three Sisters participated in this prayer service and social.

We began with a welcome by Angel Conicelli, Maureen McElroy and Sr. Barbara Schiavoni. The ceremony consisted of singing the hymn, Companions on the Journey, followed by a prayer service. Associates Mary Ann Schneider and Peg Devaney and Sister Jean Liston recited readings about Marguerite. All present shared prayers of intercession. Associates then renewed their commitment, after which everyone enjoyed socializing and refreshments.

Associates appreciate the support and companionship of the Sisters. We look forward to continuing long-standing relationships and forming new ones with each other. To learn more about our Associates, click here. More photos of the day, here.

 Birthday Celebrations

Sister Donna Jean Tavernier celebrated her birthday in October. She received a beautiful flower arrangement in the form of a cake, and some delicious cupcakes to celebrate her day!

At our offices we celebrated a special birthday, #40 for Carolyn Hunt, one of our accountants, along with Sr. Mary Lee (Congregational Advancement Office) and Maryellen Glackin (Social Media Communications).

Art Class at Holy Redeemer Lafayette

Submitted by: Sr. Bridget Connor, GNSH Leadership (and artist!)

Sister Kathleen Marie Engers, SSND, a friend of the Grey Nuns, generously donated her budget money for “Art at Lafayette.” Sister Ann McKee graciously accepted the invitation to teach the first class of four watercolor classes. Joan Maher, Activities Director, and Amy, Assistant Director handled the logistics to make it all happen. One of the sisters at Magnificat suggested that they might like to paint also. As the saying goes “One picture is worth a thousand words,” in this case it is also true that pictures don’t need many words. More photos here.

Nuns on the Bus Advocacy Tour

Submitted by: Sister Sheila Stone, GNSH 

Spirits were high as the brightly colored bus came into view in the parking lot at St. Joseph’ Parish on Main Street, Buffalo.  The nuns from Network are here, bringing a town hall meeting on their Tax Justice Truth Tour.  The Church was packed as the people of Buffalo welcomed them.  Among those participating were several GNSH and a GNSHA.

US Representative, Brian Higgins, welcomed the sisters, acknowledged how the Catholic sisters were instrumental in supporting the Affordable Care Act, and how the recently passed tax policy increases income disparity in our city and country.

Sister Simone Campbell, director of Network, spoke to the changes brought about by Reaganomics and the current tax law of 2017 that increased income inequality and the national debt.

The town hall visualized for the participants who benefits and who loses starkly: showing that wealthy individuals and corporations gain overwhelmingly, while the lowest income brackets and middle class fall even farther behind.  Participants were invited to discuss how the tax cuts impacted Buffalo and what some solutions are.  Solutions suggested were to build relationships across neighborhoods to discuss these issues, to vote and support legislators that are working on behalf of the people and use the media to communicate priorities.

The evening culminated in the opportunity to sign the bus and meet the sisters who are traveling on it.

GNSH also met the bus in Bucks County and at St. Joseph University in Philadelphia for a Town Hall Meeting. View their pictures here.

Sister Eileen’s Sabbatical Continues

Submitted by: Sister Eileen Spanier, GNSH (presently on sabbatical in San Antonio)

(Left) Sister Teresa Maya, CCVI with Sr. Eileen Spanier. Sr. Teresa was part of a panel discussion and will return in November to teach one of the classes.

“I recently attended Sandra M. Schneider’s Keynote on Experiencing the Risen  Jesus: The Biblical Basis of Christian Mysticism. It was a great morning spent learning of the phenomenological rather than metaphysical understanding of religious experiences.”

Celebrating the Canonization of Oscar Romero

Outside Altar set up for the special Mass for the Canonization of Oscar Romero. At the foot of the altar are some of the Offertory Gifts. In addition to the wine, water and hosts…a framed photo of an enlargement of the holy card we received, flowers from the backyard gardens of some parishioners as a sign of respect, folded newspapers to symbolize how the government controlled what was written during that time leading up to his death, a sandal symbolizing his travel among the people and a basket of voting ballets for November…

Interior of Christ the King Church, San Antonio on the day of the Canonization.

International Dinner to benefit ESL Program

Submitted by: Sister Mary Elizabeth Looby, GNSH

Sister Anne Boyer worked with Welcoming the Stranger International as an ESL teacher. She and I attended their International Dinner at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. Sr. Anne was delighted to meet up with former colleagues and is pictured here with friends with whom she worked in this program that teaches English to immigrants. There was a delightful selection of homemade food that made for a “Full” evening.

Celebrating the Feast Day of our Founder

Submitted by Sister Donna Lord, GNSH- Buffalo

Sometimes a simple celebration can be just right. Rev. Jan Mahle, Campus Minister at D’Youville College, and Mary Jane Key, Grey Nun Associate, planned the Mass for the feast day of St. Marguerite

Mary Jane prepared a handout of prayers to St. Marguerite for attendees Rev. Gregory Gallagher, OMI, pastor of Holy Angels, Holy Cross, and Our Lady of Hope parishes, was the celebrant for the liturgy. The four  young men beginning their formation as Oblates came with him.  At the liturgy were a number of Grey Nuns, several Associates, and some staff members from the college.  In an uncomplicated way, St. Marguerite was honored at the college named in her honor.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia area Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart and our office staff were treated to a lovely luncheon buffet held at Holy Redeemer Lafayette on St. Marguerite’s Feast Day, October 16. Our staff members donated the beautiful cake as a token of their affection for the GNSH.

After the luncheon, Mass was held in the RCR center. Sister Mary Elizabeth shared a reflection on the life of St. Marguerite, Sister Mary Lee Farrell led the congregational singing and Fr. O’Rourke, OSA was our celebrant.

Pictured at left are some of the GNSH in attendance, prior to Mass.

Our office staff members were delighted with the opportunity to visit with so many of the Sisters they used to see on a daily basis at the Motherhouse. In general, it was a pleasant afternoon spent with good friends!  Click here for Sr. Mary Elizabeth Looby’s reflection on St. Marguerite.

That’s A Lot of Pumpkin!

Sister Maureen O’Hara enjoys gardening. She helped out at a local community garden located on the grounds of the Magnificat, where some of our Sisters reside, this summer. Sr. Maureen is pictured here with her (perfectly shaped) 20 lb. pumpkin!

We are still waiting for our slice of pie, Sister!

This entry was posted in From our Sisters and tagged: Art Class, Birthday celebrations, Buffalo, Canonization, community garden, ESL Program, Feast of St. Marguerite D'Youville, GNSH Associates, Nuns on the Bus, Oscar Romero, Philadelphia, pumpkin, Sabbatical, Tax Justice Truth Tour, Welcoming the Stranger