Feast Day Letter- Sr. Denise Roche, GNSH President

Written on: October 13, 2022

October 13, 2022

Dear Sisters, Associates, Staff, Friends All,

Marguerite d’Youville’s feast always provides a time of celebration and reflection for us.  As we ponder the events of her life and the faith she manifested in every circumstance, we are strengthened by her resilience and determination and the trust in Divine Providence that kept her focused.  Her entire life was filled with unexpected setbacks coming from many directions.

Can you imagine how Marguerite and her several early companions felt when, during the same year as the foundation of their little congregation, Marguerite was struck with a pain in her knee that caused her agony and defied the doctors’ remedies. The pain became more acute for the next several years.  Marguerite was only 37 years old at the time. What courage it must have taken to move forward with their plans to provide outreach to the poor when Marguerite herself was so disabled!

In later years, there were fires, which destroyed all the work the sisters had done to provide a home for so many who needed shelter and community. Each challenge called for a focus on the mission, an unwavering confidence in God and a resolute commitment to spread God’s love despite all obstacles.

It is an appropriate time for us, perhaps, to renew our dedication to our mission, to determine not to be overcome by the turmoil that surrounds us or to have our focus deflected by the external noise that confuses us. Like Marguerite, whose life never moved ahead on an easy path, let us set our hearts on moving forward, supporting, encouraging, withstanding obstacles and caring for one another!

In recognition of St. Marguerite d’Youville’s feast day and legacy of concern for those who are suffering and have lost much, a contribution has been made to Catholic Charities in Lee County, Florida from the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart. Let us continue to remember our sisters and brothers whose lives have been uprooted by recent hurricanes.

Click here for a prayer for to use on the Feast Day (October 16), prepared by Sr. Eileen White. 

May Marguerite’s legacy continue to inspire and encourage us to remain faithful to our mission of love and compassion!

Happy Feast Day!

In loving union,

Sister Denise Roche, GNSH
President

This entry was posted in From our Sisters and tagged: caring, Catholic Charities, commitment, concern, confidence, confidence in God, Congregation, courage, dedication, Divine Providence, encouraging, Faith, Feast Day, fires, foundation, God, God's love, hearts, hurricanes, Lee County Florida, life, Marguerite D'Youville, mission, mission of love and compassion, moving forward, poor, Prayer, resilience, saint, shelter and community, suffering, supporting, trust, uprooted lives