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Edition No. 106 — October 10, 2019 
Associate Consultation Gathering
St. Mary by-the-Sea
September 26-29, 2019
The SSJ Associates in Mission held the final gathering of their Chapter 2019 Associate Consultation Process at St. Mary by-the-Sea in Cape May Point from September 26-29 th

This gathering was the culminating event of a two-year journey of reflection, conversation, and discernment. Sixty-six Associates in Mission dedicated themselves to the continuing process of moving from the “I” to “We.” With the help of facilitator  Kathleen Anderson SSJ , and writers, Krista Murphy and Mary Vanderhoof, they finalized and affirmed a direction statement which will guide the SSJ Associates in Mission for the next five years. 
A Dozen Golf Tournaments for Saint Joseph Villa
Flatbush Golf Course
Littlestown, Pennsylvania
September 28, 2019
By Kathleen Pales SSJ
For twelve years in a row, our golfing friends in the McSherrystown area have participated in the very popular  Swing for the Sisters Annual Golf Tournament . The most recent tournament was held on Saturday, September 28, 2019, at Flatbush Golf Course in Littlestown, PA, raising over $15,000 for Saint Joseph Villa.

“We sell out earlier and earlier every year. People look forward to a very enjoyable day of playing golf with friends and family members, seeing so many sisters who live and work in the area, and eating lunch together before the winners are announced,” commented Mrs. Nicole Schlein, Events Coordinator for the Sisters of Saint Joseph. “The raffle baskets are a big hit, too.”

The planning committee works for months ahead of the tournament date, soliciting sponsors and participants, gathering raffle basket donations, collecting contributions of soda, beer and water, and preparing a bag of snacks and gifts for each golfer. “This committee and the additional volunteers who come to help are very dedicated and enthusiastic. They are truly tireless! What a great support they are to our retired sisters and lay residents at the Villa,” noted  Sister Eileen Marnien SSJ , Congregational Vice President.

A group of about thirty sisters who reside at the Villa wrote notes of gratitude to the golfers ahead of time, and asked  Sister Kathy Pales SSJ , Development Director, to take them with her to present to the participants at the start of the day. As each player climbed into his/her golf cart, s/he found a handwritten note from one of the Villa residents. “I love seeing the looks on the golfers' faces as they open and read the notes. I think it really hits them how much their support means to these sisters. The promise of prayer is especially meaningful to these generous benefactors,” said Sister Kathy.

Betty Fundalewicz, Susan Bauman, Bill Alquist and Tom Keller took home the First-Place prize for Mixed Foursome. Longest Drive prizes went to Bill Baker and Steph Staub. Closest to the Pin prizes were awarded to Chuck Johnston and Mary Ann Parks. 
We are grateful to our many hole sponsors.
Sister Jacquelyn SSJ and Jane Bennett greet and register each golfer as they arrive at the Club House.
Sister Jane Lawrence SSJ has mulligans for golfers who need a second chance.
Sister Jane Keller SSJ and her sister, Anna Noel, set up the beautiful display of raffle baskets.
Ready to get going and make a hole in one.
These golfers take a break to toss their raffle basket tickets into the buckets.
Charlotte Glessner and Sister Mary Unger SSJ have raffle basket tickets ready to go.
Nicole Schlein makes sure that the golfers find a lovely bag of treats when they get into their cart.
Photos courtesy Kathy Pales SSJ
Associates in Mission Commitment
St. Mary by-the-Sea
September 29, 2019
The SSJ Associates in Mission welcomed Yvette, Lee, Dotsie, Mary Ann, and Linda in a commitment ceremony that took place at St. Mary by-the Sea, Cape May Point, NJ on Sunday, September 29th. The new associates are pictured with their orientation mentors, family and associate group members who were present for the Mass.
Pictured from left: Yvette LeFebvre, Lee Cathrall, Dotsie Dix, Mary Ann Hodle and Linda Robinson.
Pictured from left: Mike Robinson, Linda Robinson and Rita Woehlcke SSJ
Pictured from left: Judy Principe, Mary Ann Hodle, Marianne Comeau and Bobette Glenn
Cape May Associates in Mission Group
Mount St. Joseph Associate Groups
One Onesie at a Time
September 2019
The Mount St. Joseph Associate Groups collected ONESIES to send for the little ones at the southern border and extended the invitation to all other groups. “We realize that some individuals and groups are already contributing in varied ways,” shared Judy Cute. “However, if you are interested in participating in this small way of being 'ONE WITH,' please collect the ONESIES at your September Associate gathering and have someone from your group bring them to the Consultation in Cape May.” 

At the Consultation Gathering in September Judy estimated they had collected over 400 onesies.

The ONESIES were mailed in bulk to the Respite Center run by Catholic Charities of Rio Grande Valley in McAllen Texas.
Pictured from left: Theresa Cute and Judy Cute
Divine Providence Village
Retreat
October 2-3, 2019
Divine Providence Village in Springfield, Delaware County, is an Intermediate Care Facility for men and women with developmental disabilities. The Village is located on a picturesque 20-acre campus that includes an outdoor swimming pool, chapel, recreational pavilion and, a full-service kitchen that prepares specialized meals for all residents, and those that participate in the   day program . Presently, 14 men and 75 women reside there ranging from 22 years through 81 years old.

Sister Mary Veasy SSJ  has been the Pastoral Minister at Divine Providence Village for the past 12 years. In January 2019,  Sister Susan Lindinger SSJ  was named Volunteer Coordinator for Divine Providence Village and Don Guanella Village.

In the past, residents have gone to Malvern for the annual retreat, but this year Mary and Sue held the retreat at Divine Providence. The retreat started on Wednesday afternoon, October 2 nd  and continued throughout the day on Thursday, October 3 rd . Seventeen women and one man attended.

Activities included:
A special opening using the book  What Can I Give God  ?,  God Loves Me Bingo , evening prayer, praying through music, storytelling using the book  Old Turtle , rock painting with faith symbols, a closing ritual and of course—snacks and meals.

Sisters Marie William Herron SSJ Adele Solari SSJ  and  Maria Reparata O’Donnell SSJ  attended on Thursday morning for  Praying through Music .

Sister Carol Beevers SSJ  presented a  special  Storyteller Session  Thursday afternoon with reflection and discussion.

What a blessed and graced event it was!.
"With the help of God's grace and in fidelity to our founder's expressed wish, we live and work lovingly among all persons with a special preference for those who are poor, which calls us wherever we are to be in union with them."
                                        — SSJ Constitutions #21
Editor, Sister Carole Pollock SSJ | 215.248.7269 | cpollock@ssjphila.org | http://ssjphila.org/home/