The MORE... Update: June 2024

June News...

Communications Office

Summer has arrived, bringing with it outdoor gatherings, bitter-sweet celebrations, and the warmth of weather and neighborly kindness. Scroll down to read about our concluding celebration for The Literacy Connection, prayer vigils, the latest happenings at Casserly House, and more!

The Literary Connection: A Concluding Celebration for a Life-Changing Ministry

Communications Office

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. Today’s celebration is, at its core, bittersweet."

"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 thank 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: City Councilor, Liz Breadon, with Pat Andrews, CSJ

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St. Agnes School: 135 Years!

Communications Office

Above: CSJs who attended the recent 135th celebration of St. Agnes School (Sisters Mary Nagle, Mary Gowern, Joan M. McCarthy, Carlotta Gilardi, Brenda Forry, and Barbara McHugh). Joan M. McCarthy, CSJ, and Mary Gowern, CSJ, are graduates of St. Agnes. School. Sisters Carlotta, Brenda and Mary ministered at the school.

During this anniversary celebration of 135 years for St. Agnes School, Carlotta Gilarde, CSJ, spoke about how, as sisters, “We had an outer mission that was our profession as teachers, and an inner, Christ-centered, mission. The children and the parents were essential for our inner mission. The greatness of the children’s lives taught us that we should all be friends. The parents loved us without talking about it. One critical observation was how the parents made our job easier if the children came from healthy functioning families -- if they did not come from functioning families, it made our role as caregivers more important. The children and their parents transformed our lives, so in the end we became the students. We want to thank you all for becoming our teachers.” A good time was had by all!

Wear Orange: Nuns Against Gun Violence

Communications Office

On Thursday, June 6th, 2024, sisters, associates, agrégées, and partners in mission gathered for an afternoon vigil to draw awareness to gun violence. We would like to thank everyone who participated in this anti-gun-violence event, and we hope to continue the conversation as long as it is necessary.

Above: sisters, associates, agrégées, and partners in mission gather in front of the banner in front of the Motherhouse. Gun violence is the #1 killer of children & teens in America. Let’s change that statistic.

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Help the CSJ archive fill in the gaps!

We need your help in completing the CSJ story. Add to the collections and become a part of history.

Left to right: Ava Doogue (current CSJ archivist) and Sage Innerarity, former archivist intern.

Click here to learn more!

Associates Cookout

Communications Office

Left: Margaret LeLakes, CSJA and Denise Cohen, CSJA, presenting Carole Anne Scott, CSJA with gifts of gratitude.

Above: a cake commemorating Kathie Shute, CSJA and Carole Anne Scott, CSJA's leadership.

This year’s annual CSJ Associate Cookout took place on June 8, 2024. In addition to lovingly prepared hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, and deserts, a feature of the afternoon was a sincere thank you to Kathie Shute, CSJA, and Carole Anne Scott, CSJA for their years of service and leadership among the associates. Gifts for leadership are precious in any community. After words of gratitude from Sisters Mary L. Murphy, Kathy McCluskey, Mary Ellen O’Connell, and Associates Denise Cohen and Margaret Lelakes led all in a blessing prayer.

There's more! Click here to read the full article.

Come to the Water

Mary Rita Weschler, CSJA & Linda Boothroyd, Administrative Assistant of the Women’s Table

Above: Sisters, mothers, and volunteers at the retreat.

On May 5th, 2024, wonderful, loving years of friendship were celebrated and renewed as mothers of children with special needs gathered for a meaningful retreat at Mt. Carmel Villa in Nahant, MA. This group of Miracle Mothers has been together for the past fifteen years, loving, supporting and encouraging each other. Their children face various challenges as these women have given them roots and encouraged them to spread their wings and believe in themselves and all of their possibilities.

Rosemary Mulvihill, CSJ, guided those present, in a gentle and encouraging way, stressing the importance of self-care, and resting in God’s love. She opened the morning session by asking, “What is God calling you to today?” After quiet time for reflection, those present shared their desire for the day. The song, “Come to the Water” echoed God’s invitation to come, relax, and seek renewal near the ocean. The sun was shining, and the water sparkled in the distance. The depth of sharing and reflection was especially meaningful, particularly because many of these mothers have grown together through the Mother’s Circle over many years.

There's more! Click here to read the full article.

In Roslindale: Across Generations...With the Earth... In Relationship!

Mary Beth O’Sullivan, Ignatian Volunteer and Donna Stiglmeier, Director of Casserly House

In collaboration with the City of Boston, nearby Viet Nam Temple, and Archdale Housing, Casserly House participated in LOVE YOUR BLOCK, a neighborhood clean-up on a sunny April 27th. Thanks also to Weesh Bake Shop, Arboretum Pizza Grill, and Dunkin for contributing food and coffee to sustain our efforts and build community!

ESOL Recognition Day in Roslindale on May 9^th was an amazing and inspirational evening in a packed community room at Roslindale’s BPL! Roslindale’s Adult Literacy Community recognized volunteers and especially adult learners of English (for Speakers of other Language-ESOL). Stories were told of adult learners traveling up to 2 hours each way to learn English, of overcoming fear, and of the opportunities opened as English language skills increased. Straight from the heart, in Spanish and then English, City Councilor Enrique Pepén shared about his Dominican parents coming to the United States. Representative Rob Consalvo remarked, “I see future elected officials in this room; your stories are so inspiring!” Casserly House, ABCD Adult ESOL Program, and the Roslindale Branch of Boston Public Library were sponsors.

There's more! Click here to read the full article.

Graduation Exercises

Ava Mari Doogue, CSJ Archivist

For the month of June, the CSJ Archives is celebrating past commencements. The Archives is focusing on St. Thomas Aquinas High School commencement programs.

St. Thomas Aquinas was the first school staffed by the Sisters, in 1873. Thomas Magennis invited the Sisters to teach in Jamaica Plain after witnessing their teaching methods in Flushing, NY. “He had been elected to the school board of the town (Jamaica Plain) and he appreciated the value of the public school system, but he wanted that extra something, religious training and liturgical music, taught as well.” (Glynn, 1989).

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Transportation Ministry Meeting

Communications

Above: driving volunteers celebrate the positive impact they’ve created this year, providing fellow sisters with rides to doctor’s appointments, gatherings, and more!

There was a special luncheon gathering on Monday, June 10 for our drivers. The community councilors wanted to thank those who volunteer to drive sisters wherever and whenever they wanted. The drivers this past year have driven 13,197 miles, making 412 trips in total!

The women who have volunteered to participate in the Sisters’ Transportation Program are sisters, associates, and friends. They love to drive. One wish they have is for the sisters who need rides, or would like to simply get out and enjoy a drive, to please call the Transportation Program. They are waiting to give you a ride. Let us all give them a big around applause to say, “Thank you for a job well done!”

Sisters of St. Joseph Honored by Outreach Ministries...

Joanne Gallagher, CSJ, Magalie Rowe-Torres, CSJA, and Marian Batho, CSJ were recognized for their outstanding advocacy and leadership at the 8th annual gala of the Latina Center MARIA.

Magalie Rowe-Torres, CSJA, coordinates this group and presented the awards.

At the legislator’s breakfast, Pat Andrews, CSJ, was honored for her work.

Left to right: State Representative Kevin Honan; Senator Brownsberger; Pat Andrews, CSJ; Senator Sal DiDomenico; Julia Mejia, City Councilor, At-Large; and Liz Breadon, City Councilor, District 9.

Cathy Clifford, CSJ, being honored at the Bethany Hill Place Gala in early May.

Mary Black, CSJ, being honored at St. Columbkille’s on Friday, June 7th.

Meet the New Residents of the “Brown House” Peggy Comfrey, CSJ, Justice & Peace Coordinator

On April 16, a new family of five moved into the “brown house” on our property in Newton. When they arrived in the U.S. from Guatemala, they spent a couple of months in a temporary shelter where they all lived together in one room with no outside area for the children to play in. To say they were excited and grateful to see their new (though temporary) home, fully furnished and stocked with groceries, supplies, toiletries and toys is an understatement! When they were driven up to the front of the house, the kids jumped out of the car and immediately ran up to hug the welcoming committee. Within a week of moving in, Renato had a job in the Maintenance department of Bentley University in Waltham and is now working there 5 days a week. Thanks to the generosity of volunteers from the Sacred Heart/Our Lady’s Collaborative, he gets a ride to work every day and the family is driven to Market Basket and medical appointments. There are also people helping them to learn English.

Left, left to right: Damian, Irvin, Darlin, Renato, and Angely stand in front of their new home!

Right: Betsy Conway, CSJ, Joanne Fantini, CSJ Agrégée, and Peggy Comfrey, CSJ, give the next residents of the "Brown House" a warm welcome.

Angely, the 5 year old daughter, is enrolled for the fall in a Newton public kindergarten. Thanks to the Jackson Walnut Park School and to some individual donors, she will attend the camp at Jackson this summer. Volunteers from the Collaborative are also working hard to try to secure day care placements for the two younger sons. The three children will be baptized at Our Lady’s on August 4 at the 10:00 liturgy. With the assistance of so many committed and generous people, the family is adapting well to their new home and learning how to become self-sufficient in their new country.