August 2011
San Sebastian Children's Choir Performs for Sisters
August 2011 - Sr. Marie Therese has been leading choirs for since she was a young adult. She has directed small to large choirs from a few children to over 800. "Each choir and child I have directed have brought me great joy," stated Sr. Marie Therese. Currently she is the Director of Music for San Sebastian Parish in St. Augustine.Recently members of her children’s choir gathered at Lourdes to give the Sisters a special treat.
Nine of her choir members, six girls and a set of boy triplets, performed tunes that they use during Mass. “Where did they get those voices,” commented the Sisters watching the performance. Sr. Marie Therese chuckled “Look who is their choir director!”
“What amazed me was Sr. Marie Therese’s interaction with the children,” stated Sissy Horn, Mission Advancement Director, “You could tell she loves the children and they love her.” The children were welcomed to Lourdes with wide open arms of Sr. Marie Therese.
After their performance, they were treated to a cookout and pool party at the Motherhouse. The biggest treat of the afternoon was the joy the choir brought to the Sisters.
Website Update
If you have visited our website before, you will notice that there are some changes. Here are some highlights of new features:
- The first page has been made into an introduction page and a new home page has been added. The home page will now include updates under news and upcoming events. Also, a link directly to the "Home" page has been added to the "Intro" page so you can skip this page on your next visit.
- Photographs throughout the site have been updated.
- A new page "Photo Album" has been created so we can post pictures of some of our events.
- Check out our page under "Meet Our Sisters" called "Sister Sisters". On this page you will meet our SSJ's that are family members. We have two sets of twins.
- Paypal is up and running. You can make an online gift by just selecting the "donate" button. See the button below.
- The "News" page has an archive to store past stories.
- A link to the associate application has been included on the "Associate" page.
- More links have been added to the "Links" page. Check out this page for links to many Catholic websites.
Four Sisters in New Ministries
We extend blessings to our Sisters who are in a change of ministry or residence. They include: Sister Rosa Lopez will be serving as co-director of Campus Ministry and religion teacher at Bishop Moore High School in Orlando. Sister Marilyn Dingman will be in ministry at St. Ambrose Church, Elkton, as Director of Religious Education, overseeing RCIA, the sacramental, and adult education programs. Sister Carol Stovall has been appointed to serve as coordinator of the Motherhouse in St. Augustine. Sister Kathleen Clark will be serving in prayer ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes Convent in St. Augustine.
“Step Forward” with a Helping Hand
Sister Marlene Payette has been ministering to the needy since 2004 through Catholic Charities in Gainesville. In 2006 Sister became the coordinator of Step Forward, a program that offers opportunities to help families become economically self-sufficient. Sister Marlene interviews and assesses participants, and together they discuss possible steps to reach realistic goals. Along with advisement, the children and families are offered educational assistance, payments for GED exams and certificates, and referral to Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance if needed for food, rent or utilities.
Sister Marlene enriches herself ‘after hours’ through involvement in the Just Faith Program encompassing Catholic social teachings. She is the site coordinator with Jobs for Life once a week in the evenings. Monthly, she and the Sisters of Notre Dame, with whom she lives, gather for faith sharing and meals at alternating convents. The three Sisters at Holy Family Convent are in their third year growing a vegetable garden, only this year it will be in their own back yard!
St. James Cathedral Celebrates 125 Years
St. James Cathedral in Orlando celebrated its 125th Anniversary on July 23. Having been an important part of the history, especially in the school, our Sisters were invited to the celebration. Attending were Srs. Jane Stoecker, Marie Therese Evrard, Elizabeth Marie Stoup, Nancy Keane, Marilyn Dingman, Mary Victor Azar, Marie Rene Azar, Elizabeth Anne Worley,(not pictured) Florence Bryan.
The hospitality and gracious welcome was humbling. Prior to the Liturgy, the Sisters were greeted at the entrance of the newly renovated cathedral. Bishop John Noonan was able to spend some time with the Sisters before his busy schedule had to continue. A special luncheon and presentation followed. Each Sister was given a wooden cross carved from the wood in the sanctuary that had been removed for the renovation. Father John McCormick was most gracious in recognizing the Sisters during the Mass. A reception followed at which time several of our Sisters met with former students and friends.
…And They Divided the City Among Them
The Sisters of St. Joseph, under the leadership of Sister Diane Couture, were invited to the VIP luncheon and dedication of the Andrew Young Crossing. This Crossing is now displayed in the old slave market in St. Augustine, in honor of those who work for justice and freedom in the world. Since this event in the slave market, strategic plans have been put into motion to raise up the Lincolnville area so that businesses, schools and communities can thrive.
Sister Diane sits on the Board of Directors that is helping to steer the strategic plans. One of the first projects will be the opening of an Organic Farmers’ Market, allowing healthier food options. The Market will accept food stamps. This is just the beginning of a giant plan for renewal and renovation of Lincolnville where the St. Benedict School building still stands!
Besides keeping the stained glass studio and Art House of Dreams going, this is one more ministry that uses Sister Diane’s energy and enthusiasm. There is a possibility that Sister will be speaking at the fundraiser in Washington, D.C. on the history of the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine and their part in the care of the freed slaves and ongoing effort to bring about human rights and social justice to all peoples.
Motherhouse Elevator Update
We have reached the halfway mark to raising funds for the modernization of the Motherhouse elevator. As of August 1, 2011, $65,963.39 has been raised to cover the $117,000 needed for this project. "Reaching the halfway mark is important, but there is still over $51,000 to be raised. Two grants have been submitted and we hope to get favorable responses in the Fall, "stated Sissy Horn, Director of Mission Advancement.
The elevator was manufactured in the 1940s and placed in the three story Motherhouse in the 1960s. The elevator has served the Sister well, but recently some unexpected quiet time has been spent in the elevator as it stalls between floors. The elevator modernization will be enjoyed by all who use the elevator.
Should you wish to help with this project, contact Sissy at 904-824-9100, sissyhorn@ssjfl.org or donate now by selecting the donate button which will process your payment through Paypal.
