News & Events
The Literacy Connection: A Concluding Celebration for a Life-Changing Ministry
Thoughts and Reflections from Mary Murphy, CSJ, Marian Batho, CSJ, Joanne Barbour, Jim Spinali, Sean Garballey, & Liz Breadon
Above: Pat Andrews, CSJ, speaking.
As we gathered Mary L. Murphy, CSJ welcomed all saying, “It’s so wonderful to see so many of you who through the years were a part of the success of the Literacy connection program. And of course, it’s always a delight to see so many sisters, associates, agrégées, and members of the local community. As we are all aware, Covid decimated many wonderful life-giving and life-saving programs around the country and around the world. After 38 years of outstanding success, it is with a heavy heart that we announced the closure of The Literacy Connection last March. So today’s celebration is, at its core, bitter sweet.”
“Despite this setback, we are immensely grateful to Pat Andrews, CSJ, who has graciously agreed to remain in her role as our neighborhood outreach representative because, as we all know, Sister Pat is the unelected mayor of Brighton/Allston. In addition, Pat will continue to lead the Wednesday evening citizenship program. Today is an opportunity to say thank you to all who have contributed to The Literacy Connection story. Our collective efforts have left an indelible mark in the memories we cherish and inspire our future journey.”
Above: Mary L. Murphy, CSJ
During the service that followed, we prayed, “The story of the Sisters of St. Joseph Springs from a small group of 6 courageous women who, almost 375 years ago, wove a pattern of inclusive love throughout their neighborhood, across France and eventually across our world. This widening circle continued, when, 38 years ago, four sisters of St. Joseph saw a need in Boston neighborhoods and gave birth to the literacy connection. Today, we pray in gratitude to our God, who inspired their vision, their willingness to travel uncharted pathways and their ability to reach out to every neighbor without distinction. We also pray in gratitude for all who carried that vision forward as it evolved.”
Rose Canney, CSJ continued with a reading from our CSJ Constitution, “Our mission of unity requires that we be Christ’s healing presence among people, as we strive to alleviate ignorance, suffering, and oppression through spiritual and corporal works of mercy, and through efforts which promote justice. We fulfill this mission through a diversity of ministries called forth by the ever-changing needs of the Church and the world. We share ministry with other women and men seeking through this collaboration, to bring to greater fruition the diversity of gifts which the Spirit imparts. As a result of this collaboration, we assume the obligations of relationship with ever-widening circles of people.”
Above: Marian Batho, CSJ
Marian Batho, CSJ, continued by recognizing that The Literacy Connection has been in relationship with countless numbers, and we are very grateful for the blessings of these years. She then introduced several key speakers. The first of was State Representative, Kevin Honan who highlighted the fact that in addition to helping newly arrived folks who don’t speak English, The Literacy Connection has helped people in becoming citizens, procuring a driver’s license, and many other forms of advocacy.
Above: Joanne Barbour, Executive Director of Charlesview, Inc.
Above: Liz Breadon with Pat Andrews, CSJ
,Above: Rep. Sean Garballey, nephew of Sister Margaret Garballey
Above: Jim Spinali, former tutor at the Literacy Connection
Click the different sections below to read reflections from speakers from the event…
Thoughts from Kevin Honan
Kevin commented, “We’re a very diverse community in every way, ethnically, religiously, and you have put yourself forward to welcome people to this neighborhood and to help them be a part of the community and thrive. And that’s why I am so grateful. And the other people who are going to speak here after me and Sean Garballey. We learn lessons from you. You teach us how to support taxes, to pay for programs that people need. And when we make those tough votes, you’re always there to back us up.”
He continued, “The work you have done with The Literacy Connection is so important to our neighborhood. Not only is it a ripple in the water, that ripple creates another ripple, and another ripple.”
Thoughts from Joanne Barbour
Joanne Barbour, another collaborative partner and Executive Director of Charlesview, Inc., spoke of the impact of The Literacy Connection as part of the Allston Brighton Adult Education Coalition. “While I am sad at the loss of The Literacy Connection, we’re here to celebrate the tremendous contributions and impact this program has had in Alston Brighton, not just on the participants in the program, but throughout the Alston Brighton community. So, for example, Alston Brighton Adult Ed Coalition. The Literacy Connection is the backbone and glue of that collaborative, and there is no way we would have been able to do the work without Sister Pat and her commitment to that collaborative. She brought together providers to really think about our English language learners to strengthen that collaboration between service providers to identify gaps and needs, and also instituted the legislator’s breakfast, which really then helps our legislators, advocate for more funds and services for the populations that we serve.
We really hear firsthand of the struggles, triumphs, and dreams of our immigrant neighbors at that breakfast. So, what a gift we have in The Literacy Connection, and what you have been to Alston Brighton. And while it’s closing the spirit and legacy of welcoming and supporting new families will continue through Sister Pat and all Sisters of St. Joseph. We all owe you a debt of gratitude, and we look forward to continuing to work with you all Thank you.”
Thoughts from Jim Spinali
Jim Spinali, a former tutor, parishioner at St. Ann’s, Somerville, and former member of our CSJ corporate board spoke of his experience. In highlighting the challenges for speakers of other languages in learning English, Jim used the example of the many uses of the word “write, right, rite”. Even the same spelling can have different meanings. He also commented on the sacrifices adult learners to learn English — show up faithfully, take off time from work without pay, arrange transportation, and more. “There’s dedication in that,” he said.
Jim also make an insightful connection between this celebration and the fact that May 19th was the Feast of Pentecost, “when we commemorate that the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples of Jesus. And what did that Holy Spirit empower them to do but to communicate the gospel message. I think that’s a key to what the literacy connection was doing. We were teaching people the art of communication, and through the art of communication enable them to be a participant, full, a full participant in the community.”
Thoughts from Pat Andrews, CSJ
Next Marian Batho, CSJ, introduced Pat Andrews, CSJ saying, “Her outreach and presence in the neighborhood have been amazing in creating ever-widening circles. Several years ago, there was a headline in a local newspaper that read, ‘Sister Pat is a hero/heroine for many in the Allston, Brighton Community.’ I think that really says it all.”
Sister Pat began by commenting that, “This day could very well be the birthday of the literacy connection, because when I would be writing grants, I would always include that we began in May of 1987. And here we are today, May of 2024. So we are part of this awesome ministry. At the outset the literacy connection came into being when four of our Sisters Marie Marguerite Killilea, Margaret Garballey, Etheldrita Shay, and Gertrude Clear attended a meeting at St. Elizabeth’s hospital, regarding the turmoil in Southeast Asia during the 70s and 80s. They returned from the meeting with the realization that this is all about the arrival of immigrants and refugees who are coming into our neighborhoods, and that something needs to be done. They spoke with Betty Cawley, CSJ, our Assistant President at the time, and then the next they knew, they had two rooms, literacy connection was born and has been going for 38 years.
As we say in our CSJ Constitution and is true of The Literacy Connection, ‘We share ministry with other women and men seeking through this collaboration to bring greater fruition the diversity of gifts which the spirit imparts… and that from those to whom we minister we receive more than we give, indeed, in full measure and overflowing,’c and that is the gift that our students and tutors gave to us.
Thoughts from Sean Garballey
We also heard from Representative Sean Garballey, nephew of Sister Margaret Garballey, the first director of The Literacy Connection. Sean quickly captured the spirit of The Literacy Connection and of the Sisters of St. Joseph saying, “It’s important to remember we reflect on what The Literacy Connection has done in terms of building that foundation that has allowed so many people to live a life of success. I am just honored to be in this chapel this afternoon among individuals I really view as role models”
I’m so honored to be here with all of you is because the Sisters of St. Joseph is ingrained literally in my soul. We would come to visit sister or aunt. I would call her sister Aunt Margaret many, many times, I was very young. Sister Margaret was very soft, spoken with a twinkle in her eye, and only generosity was shared to all who knew her. She was an incredibly warm person and a mentor to me, and as I would come to visit and I would notice that she wasn’t always available. She’d be off with somebody. I would not know what they were doing, because I was 8 years old at the time, but I learned she was in the middle of her tutoring and her teachings with a member of an immigrant community helping them be able to succeed.
We’ve received more than we give. That was her more than I can ever think. She was so proud of being a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph. It was part of her soul; it was part of everything that she did and gave to this world. To think of the thousands and thousands and thousands of people whose lives were changed for the better because people in this room, and because of people like Sister Margaret cared can’t be understated. So before I leave, I will quote what I believe, captures. The life of my great aunt is, we stand with the poor in the struggle for justice, incarnating hope by seeking to improve the quality of life.
Thoughts from Liz Breadon
Our final speaker was City Councilor Liz Breadon, Counselor for District 9. After commenting on meeting Sister Pat at a memorial service, Liz went on to reflect on her experience with the Sisters of St. Joseph. “I’m continually inspired by the work of the Sisters of St. Joseph and your commitment to social justice and uplifting the dear neighbor. It’s something I really admire and treasure as an example for me, and how I travel my life. One of the earliest things. I attended when I came to the neighborhood first in 95/96, was the Links Program. I got really a strong sense of that this neighborhood is a welcoming neighborhood.
We have immigrants from all over the world here, myself included and are welcomed here right now in this moment. We have so many migrants in neighborhood who need our support, and so we hope to take that the baton and continue to advocate and work with our immigrant neighbors. The work will continue, and I’m sure you will be praying for, guiding, and supporting us as we go. And I want to thank you so much for your leadership of The Literacy Connection and all on all the great work that has happened over 38 years. It’s a really impressive record. And so thank you all. Thank you, Sister Pat, and thank you all the whole community of the Sisters of St. Joseph for this incredible ministry.
As we concluded, Marian Batho, CSJ, said, “We are grateful to all who have shared their reflections this afternoon. The story of the literacy connection is one of profound dedication to the dear neighbor without distinction. We are so grateful to all who have been part of this ministry for the past 38 years.”
Rosemary Brennan, CSJ, then led our closing prayer, “As we conclude our time together, I do believe we can truthfully say how everything we’ve been talking about this afternoon — remembering the last 38 years, and in particular the time of Sister Pat’s 24 years — has been very much about prayer.
We are very mindful at this moment how the words from Ecclesiastes speak truth to us, “For everything there is a time, a time to begin, and a time to end. So in this time of conclusion, let us pray a blessing of gratitude for all those who have been involved and taken part in this wonderful 38 year adventure, and let us move into the future totally open to the gifts and movements of God’s Spirit, both personally and communally, and in doing this always let us circle the city with love. Amen!”