GNSHappenings- November 2021

Written on: November 24, 2021

GNSH Associate News

The Potsdam Associates celebrated the Feast of St. Marguerite on October 31. We reaffirmed our commitment as Grey Nun Associates at the 11 o’clock Mass at St. Mary’s Church in Potsdam with Fr. Joseph Giroux accepting our commitment. Sr. John Helen Main joined us for Mass and we were grateful for her presence and gifts of a St. Marguerite prayer card and maple syrup.
After Mass, we celebrated the Feast Day and Rose’s birthday. Our group always has a meal.  In the first years of Association, we had covered dish after the meeting because Sr. Eunice Lalonde, our convener, had another commitment afterwards. This month we had tossed salad, garlic rolls, chicken Fettuccine Alfredo and ice cream cake. Find more Feast Day celebrations here>>

Thank You to all the Associates who responded to the Visioning Survey sent earlier this year. Your responses indicate the desire to experience community, to share faith and journeys, to pray and grow spiritually and to continue to learn about St. Marguerite d’Youville and share her legacy. To meet these goals, the leaders of the GNSH Associates have introduced a new format to the monthly Associate Zoom gatherings. Each month, a Sister or Associate will be invited to share his or her story.

Sr. Eileen Spanier kicked off the new process at the November gathering, sharing her journey to religious life and how she first met the GNSH. Sr. Eileen’s talk sparked individual reflection and led to rich sharing. Who will be the first Associate to share their story?

Join us on December 11 at 10:30am to find out! If you wish to participate and are not receiving the monthly Zoom links, please click to email Maryellen Glackin. The gatherings include prayer, announcements and Associate happenings.  All are welcome!

Contact Angel Conicelli  if you would like more information about the Associates.

GNSHAssociates Meet the 2nd Saturday of each month!

Employee Anniversary Recognition

We honored our beloved employee, Diane Petrillo with a little celebration on November 15. Diane has been with the GNSH for 15 years, which is so hard to believe because she looks like she’s 20! Thank you Diane for all the gifts you bring to the Congregation.

LCWR Region 3 Leadership Changes

Shortly after beginning her term as GNSH Vice President in 2018, Sr. Eileen White graciously agreed to serve as Chairperson for LCWR Region 3. Sisters Frankie Vaughan and Sue Sopczynski, of the Medical Mission Sisters, accepted the role of treasurer and executive committee.

Since then, Eileen has kept Region 3 members updated on LCWR initiatives and events and has been a passionate advocate for the social justice efforts of LCWR.

With her executive committee, Eileen organized spring and fall regional meetings over the past three years. 2020 necessitated the switch to Zoom from in-person meetings, and Eileen and her team navigated this challenge adroitly.

Eileen always said that she found the serving in the role of region chair a privilege and a gift.

Eileen completed her term as Chair in October of this year, and as an expression of gratitude, Region 3 members presented her with Graced Crossroads: Pathways to Deep Change and Transformation by Ted Dunne, along with a fall floral bouquet. Eileen’s energetic and inclusive leadership will be missed.

At the 2021 fall regional meeting, LCWR members affirmed Sr. Barbara Schiavoni, GNSH and Sr. Sue Sopczynski, MMS, as Co-chairs for Region 3. The region’s 80 members are grateful to them and to their respective leadership teams for their generosity.

May God’s blessing be with them!

Photo: Sr. Jean Liston, GNSH

Advent Reflections

Advent begins on Sunday, November 28. Once again we will be sending out a weekly reflection for the four Sundays.

Those who offered to write a reflection are: Sr. Jean Liston, Sr. Mary Lee Farrell, Mary Enslow and Sr. Mary Elizabeth Looby. Reflections will be sent out on Wednesday. The first reflection is available here>>

Thank You Note

A big THANK YOU from me on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association of Philadelphia. Joe and I surpassed our personal fundraising goal through the generosity of so many Sisters and co-workers. Your prayerful support is such a blessing to us, and your donations were like icing on a cake. THANK YOU!    Maryellen Glackin

Happy Birthday!

Wishing the following Sisters, and our new driver-volunteer very happy birthdays:

December:  Joe Glackin (6); Sr. Eileen White (12); Sr. Barbara Ann Pollock (24).

May the Lord protect and bless each of you in the year ahead!

This entry was posted in News and tagged: Advent reflections, Alzheimer's Association, Birthdays, celebration, December, Feast Day, fundraising, Grey Nun Associates, Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, LCWR Region 3, Leadership, Medical Mission Sisters, Potsdam NY, recommitment, Religious life, St. Marguerite d'Youville, Thank you, Visioning Survey, Work anniversary, Zoom