Edition No. 78 — September 27, 2018
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Choose Life Presentation
Sister Lillian Needham SSJ
Saint Joseph Villa
September 18, 2018
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On Tuesday, September 18th Sister Lillian Needham SSJ offered an energetic and engaging presentation, “Choose Life” to Villa Sister residents. Beyond the
standing-room-only site
, her session was televised to residents’ rooms throughout the Villa.
Lil integrated her theme of “Choose Life” with the message of the Gospel for the day—the raising of the widow’s son at Naim. Through story, poetry, song and sharing her personal experiences, she encouraged us to accept our aging as an opportunity to live life more fully.
For many sisters, retirement provides more time for prayer, reading and contemplation. These spiritual tools empower us to truly make a difference in our fractured world by spreading our charism of unioning love here at home and beyond to the Universe.
Lil has offered to provide follow-up sessions to call forth the gifts of our Villa Sisters with the goal of keeping the spirit of this inspiring presentation—"Choose Life”— well into the future.
Thank you, Lil! Please keep coming.
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The Adventures of Bella, Blanche
and the Red Hatters
Saint Joseph Villa
September 20-21, 2018
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For years the residents at the Villa have enjoyed the inspiring, humorous and
wisdom laced
dialogues of Bella (
Sister St. Rose
) and Blanche, (
Sister Mary William
), the beloved stars of Channel 5. Indeed, no one ever expected to have the privileged opportunity of being present for one of their rare, very rare,
extremely rare
personal appearances. But, after countless entreaties, (actually one phone call), they accepted an invitation to perform on stage at Saint Joseph Villa.
Bella and Blanche had everyone laughing from the minute they emerged from behind the curtain. They also made the annual meeting of the
Red Hatters
one we won’t soon forget.
A special thank you to
Sister Fran Kane SSJ
for writing and directing the play. And, to the entire cast and all those ‘behind the scenes', thank you for a delightful presentation of
The Adventures of Bella, Blanche and the Red Hatters.
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Pictured from left: St. Rose SSJ and Mary William SSJ
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Pictured from left: Mary William SSJ, St. Rose SSJ and Dottie Apprich SSJ
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Piano accompaniment: Ginger Jenkins SSJ
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Trumpet solo: Maureen MacElderry SSJ
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Pictured from left: Virginia Stanton SSJ, Pat Cashman SSJ, Louise Kane SSJ, Fran Kane SSJ,
Fran DeLisle SSJ and Marie Albert SSJ
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Pictured from left, standing: Lourdes Kennedy SSJ, Mary William SSJ, Ann Toner SSJ
and Catherine Doherty SSJ
Seated: St. Rose SSJ
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Bethlehem Village Residents
Crocheted Mats Project
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Five of the residents of Bethlehem Village have recently taken up a very worthwhile project for the homeless. “The project of making mats or blankets from plastic bags was brought to our attention on line,” recalls Joan Dean, “and when I mentioned the idea to Ruthy (Gairing) she said that we should give it a try.”
Joan and Ruth were joined by Anna Arrison, Mary Webb and Rita Matteo and initially started working on the project at their
Friday, Craft & Chat
gathering. They asked the residents at Bethlehem Village to donate plastic bags, (from Giant, CVS, Acme, etc.), and they were thrilled with the response.
Joan explains the process they use to create the crocheted mats. “We fold the plastic bags into long strips, measure and cut them, open them up and then tie them together (Anna is the expert tier). The tied bags are rolled into a ball and then I crochet them together to make the mat. I add a handle so that it can be easily carried.”
The ladies are now working on their third mat, enjoying the process and plan on continuing. “This is a way for us to keep busy and also to help people,” says Joan.
The ladies often continue working on the project other afternoons because it is not only a good cause but enjoyable to come together. They talk, listen to the oldies on the radio, or tune into the Phillies game.
We applaud
The Mighty Five,
as they call themselves, for their creativity, initiative and generosity.
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Pictured from left: Anna Arrison, Mary Webb, Rita Matteo, Joan Dean and Ruth Gairing
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Saint Mary by-the-Sea Retreat House
Cape May, New Jersey
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Sister Sharon McCarthy SSJ recently completed her first year as Administrator of
Saint Mary by-the-Sea Retreat House in Cape May, NJ. September 19th was her birthday and volunteers celebrated by decorating her 'cart'!
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Photo courtesy Susan Slaninka
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"Rooted in the mission of Christ, ours is the same mission which continually unfolds in the Church, 'That all may be one as you, Father, are in me, and I in you. I pray that they may be one in us.' (Jn 17:21)."
— SSJ Constitutions #17
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