APRIL'S END 2012

Br. Bob, Sr. Monica, Alden and Cynthia Hagardorn, Sr. Joanne and Br. Charles on April 25th

Taize Prayer on Tuesday, the 24^th, dinner guests Wednesday, and a commissioning ceremony for the Companions of Pauline on Sunday, the 29^th, enlivened our week.  While the city hosted Jazz Fest and golf’s Zurich Classic over the weekend, John and Bob spent much of Saturday, the 28^th, in the garden and yard.

During the week, Bob saw the final closing of the facilities at St. Raymond’s campus which had housed Operation Helping Hands.  Working now out of St. Gabriel’s parish in Pontchartrain Park, he has recently assisted the Presentation Sisters at Lantern Light with his carpentry skills and building management know-how.  Charles continues his volunteer work at Lantern Light which continues to serve as many as 220 guests on a regular day.  John kept busy with visitations at Holy Cross High School and Academy of the Sacred Heart—and setting up for prayer services, etc.

On Tuesday evening about fifteen people came for Taize prayer and remained after for refreshments and conversation.

On Wednesday evening, Sr. Joanne Ladwig SCC, Sr. Monica Cormier SCC, and Alden Hagardorn and his wife Cynthia joined the community for dinner to mark the ‘return’ of a portrait of Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt, founder of the Sisters of Christian Charity, to this former convent of the Sisters where Pauline stayed in the 1870’s.  Alden was parish council president at St. Henry’s Parish and has continued to serve the needs of the community after the closing.  He sees the Church is cared for and coordinates weekly openings for the Rosary on Saturday, and for the funerals of former parishioners.  He brought the portrait of Blessed Pauline so we could get ready for the Commissioning of Associates of the Sisters of Christian Charity on Sunday.

Commissioning the new member--Sr. Pauline and Mother Pauline!

 

The group at the commissioning prayer service.

On Sunday the Sisters, their Associates and some guests attended the commissioning ceremony for a new member and renewed their agreements.  The portrait of Blessed Pauline and our first class relic of Blessed Pauline reminded all present of the crucial role of women religious in the Church.  After the prayer service, John gave tours of the house, and a reception was held in the assembly room.

The Louisiana chapter of the Associates of the Sisters of Christian Charity

 Mother Pauline’s feast day is April 30^th and her cause for canonization has been reopened; there is a case from Montevideo, Uruguay being considered but the process is very expensive. 

Merciful God, source and goal of all life, you gave Blessed Pauline the grace to seek and do your will in all the changing circumstances of her life. Through her intercession help us to trust in your guidance and to bear witness to your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.