Fontbonne Gala

Communications Office

Sisters gathered at Fontbonne on November 3rd to celebrate their work in creating both a school and a culture that shapes young women into citizens who give back to their community and truly “love the dear
neighbor without distinction.”

Maura Spignesi, Head of School of Fontbonne, greeted everyone with a charming speech, which you can read below…

Maura Spignesi, Head of School, with Fontbonne Alumnae, Christie and Maggie.

Thank you so much for being here this evening and for your support of Fontbonne. Tonight we celebrate our founders, our Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston.

I came to know the sisters in the Spring of 2002. I was invited by Patricia Sarasolo, the acting principal of the time, and Sister Marilyn McGoldrick, former president of Fontbonne, to join the Fontbonne learning community as a school counselor and English teacher. I accepted the invitation with the understanding in my mind that I was going to Fontebonne for 1 year to help transition students from St. Clare Highschool whose school had just closed.

It was when St. Clare closed that I first heard the words “caring for the dear neighbor” and that was through Sr. Marilyn.

To be honest, I knew from my BC experience, to be a woman for others. But “caring for the dear neighbor without distinction” were words that weren’t a part of my life. Now, 21 years later, I am still at Fontbonne — so much for my one year stint! And it is in great part to those seven words: “caring for the dear neighbor without distinction”

As Sister Maryann Enright taught me, the “without distinction” part is the differentiator. I now recognize that now thsoe words are God’s love in action. I felt that from every Sister of St. Joseph, and every colleague who I have had the priviledge to have a relationship with, who are infused with the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

When I began to experience what it really meant to care for our dear neighbor, I realized how powerful this community is. And how grateful I was to have been guided to it.

The Sisters are living examples of social justice, the teachings in action. Whether in the role modeling of advocating against human trafficking, caring for the earth, building anti-racist communities, serving immigrant families through citizenship, establishing residencies for those struggling with homelessness, caring for those living with aids, and the influence that they have had in education, healthcare, law, and social work… the list goes on. They have changed Boston for the better by caring for the dear neighbor without distinction.

The Sisters have had a profound impact on generations of women who have gone through Fontbonne. It is a privilege to now lead Fontebonne and continue the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston.