News & Events
the MORE… Online Updates Volume 2.2.2 – June 28, 2017
FAREWELL RECEPTION FOR ANN MARIE GIOVINO, CONGREGATION HEALTH CARE COORDINATOR
Reflections by Rosemary Brennan, CSJ
You Have Grown Into Our Hearts
Ann Marie, for everything there is a season — a time to welcome, a time to express gratitude, and a time to bless you on into the next evolution of your life. In 2003, we welcomed you as our community nurse and little did we know how blessed we would be. You and Joanne had big shoes to fill in following Sister Lois and fill them you did.
Over the years you have listened to the cares and concerns of countless sisters, you have offered sage advice, you have been caring and compassionate and have spoken honestly when needed. You have traveled miles visiting sisters in hospitals, cutting through red tape either to secure a doctor’s appointment or to invite hospital staff to hop to it in order to get a sister released to home or Bethany. You have taken on government officials and medical providers over benefits. I don’t know how many sisters you have claimed to be when speaking to social security! Thank God these were not Skype calls.
Ann Marie, most of all you have grown into our hearts these past 14 years. You have become sister, friend and to many, a confidante. You have blessed us with your Italian laughter, with that twinkle in your eye and your amazing capacity of being genuinely you. For this we are profoundly grateful. I know you frequently say that this job has allowed you to do exactly what you enjoy doing. What a gift to all of us that you found us and we found you. This afternoon is our way of expressing our love and care for you.
CSJ Boston Donor Appreciation Day 2017
Sisters and Associates celebrated the annual Donor Appreciation Day at the Motherhouse on June 11, 2017.
Agrégée Formation Relationship Welcoming Ceremony — June 18, 2017
On June 18, 2017, four women were welcomed as the first four agrégeé candidates of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston. Pictured at right are these candidates with their mentors and the agrégée formation program coordinators. They are, left to right, Maryann Enright, CSJ, Judith Costello, CSJ, Mary Joan Lofgren, CSJ, Marianne Miller, CSJA, Rosemary Mulvihill, CSJ, Joanne Maulden, CSJA, Carol Fitzsimmons, CSJ, Joanne Fantini, CSJA, Mary Ellen O’Connell, CSJ, Linda Boothroyd, CSJA.
At the conclusion of the service, Maryann Enright, CSJ, prayed, “We ask you, gracious God, to bring our candidates to fullness; send them forth full of enthusiasm and hope. May they share their gifts generously, celebrate life daily, and bring joy wherever they go.”
FROM THE WOMEN’S TABLE
By Mary Rita Weschler, CSJA
Connecting Neighbor with Neighbor…
On May 19, 2017, Labouré College generously gifted The Women’s Table with 28 gift bags filled with toiletries and additional gifts for children. However, these assembled gift bags are just part of the story! Recently, these items were donated to the Hildebrand Family Self-Help Center in Dorchester which provides temporary housing for families and children. This wonderful collaboration occurred thanks to the connection of Denise Edinger, CSJA, Associate Chairperson of the Labouré Nursing Department, who worked with Leo Thibault, Student Advising and College Mission Coordinator.
Each year, Labouré College hosts a soup and bread luncheon and designates the proceeds to selected social service agencies in the area. This year, The Women’s Table was fortunate to be one of those picked. This is a wonderful example of everexpanding circles of love and compassion. For this, The Women’s Table is most grateful!
Hearts and Homes Open to CSJ New Mexico Associates
By Ann Kaufmann, CSJ
June 6-13, 2017, brought another opportunity for bonding of CSJ associates from Boston and New Mexico. Grace Chavez, CSJA, and her husband, Ernie, from Santa Rosa, and were welcomed by Michele Audet, CSJA, and Kathie Shute, CSJA, who shared hosting them in their homes. Donna Sordello, CSJA, taught them to make meatballs and sauce from scratch and several Saugus-area associates joined them afterwards for an authentic Italian feast.
Other highlights of their visit included a trip to Plymouth, the Tea Party Museum, a Swan Boat ride, and the Seacoast Science Center in Rye, NH enroute to Ogunquit, Maine, for boiled lobster. Sunday included visits to St. Joseph Hall and Bethany as well as a social with associates and sisters at the Motherhouse. Grace and Ernie’s final day featured a boat ride around Boston Harbor with Denise Cohen, CSJA, and her father, followed by supper at Fontbonne Convent , Milton.
For Ernie and Grace, gratitude abounds. They renewed bonds with those who visited New Mexico, and made new Boston friends. The Chavez’ hearts and home are open to any who wish to visit Santa Rosa. They hope you will RSVP soon.
