Donors of Distinction Bus Brings Smiles to Mount Carmel Bvms
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Donors of Distinction DonorsBus Title of Distinction 2017–2018 Annual Report Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Thank you Bus Brings Smiles to for making this “day possible.” Mount Carmel BVMs —Catherine Dominick, BVM On a night in December, Catherine (Michael Ann) Dominick, BVM boards a bus at Mount Carmel in Dubuque, Iowa, to see Christmas lights in Murphy Park with 12 of her BVM Sisters. She’s been waiting for this day for a long time. “Oh, I loved it,” she says with a big smile. “Just seeing so many lights in the park. It was so beautiful.” Bus continued on p. 21. 2017–18 Annual Report | 19 Dear Friends, On behalf of the Sisters of Charity of throughout the country, disaster relief to those affected by fires and floods, food to those who had the Blessed Virgin Mary, I wish to once none, and so much more that helped others in big again extend our sincere gratitude. The and small ways. outpouring of support for the BVM This letter to you has not been easy to write as it will be my last. I have accepted a position with mission humbles our community. another employer—one that will challenge me in Because of you, the BVM Legacy of Love new ways and greatly benefit my family. remains strong after 185 years. I have had the privilege of serving as the director of development for the past three years, and I have valued the chance to meet many of you at Masses, We have prepared Perspective, our annual report, alumnae luncheons, and donor events, as well as to share the impact you have collectively made through the thousands of personal notes I have between Sept. 1, 2017 and Aug. 31, 2018. Perspective received and written. acknowledges donors whose contributions over the I simply cannot express the appreciation I past year, or cumulatively, have made them a member have for all that you do to move the BVM mission of one of four Donors of Distinction categories. forward. I leave this place knowing the Office It is important to know that to best utilize the of Development and the BVM community will resources you have entrusted to us, we have made continue to assist you as you choose to partner the decision to publish our full listing of nearly 5,000 donors in an electronic version only. The with us. electronic donor listing can be found by visiting I join you as a person forever touched by the our website. I hope you enjoy reading how your BVM spirit and will continue to make a personal generosity made our sisters and the many lives they investment in the sisters and those they serve are a part of so very special. as I transition into the next phase of my While we do our best to check and recheck our professional career. list for accuracy, we also acknowledge that we are Once again, thank you for all you do for the human and may make mistakes. If you notice that Sisters of Charity, BVM. May God continue to bless your name has been omitted or misspelled, please you and your loved ones. accept our apologies and contact the Office of Development so necessary corrections can be made. Gratefully, We appreciate your understanding. As I reflect on the year, I am reminded of the loyalty that you exhibit to our sisters. Together we were able to provide new dining room chairs and park benches at Mount Carmel for our retired sisters, Andy Schroeder six new scholarships to preserve the BVM Legacy Director of Development The Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is recognized as a nonprofit, tax-exempt, religious organization by the State of Iowa and the Federal Government. All financial information in this report has been reviewed by Eide Bailly LLP. 20 | BVM Perspective In all, more than 53 Donors of Distinction sisters were able to view Christmas lights Donors of Distinction in the park. It’s a dream come true. The sisters absolutely“ love it. I never dreamt we would have anything this nice and so many sisters are benefiting.” —Julie Wessels A Dream Come True Bus continued from p. 19. bus also features large windows on every Having a larger vehicle opens the side, allowing sisters to see the sights. door to new possibilities. Lori Ritz, Not long ago, this wasn’t possible. A “It’s a dream come true,” says Julie life and mission director, plans to drive small van that only carried four sisters Wessels, driver and Mount Carmel sisters to area Catholic schools and seated and one in a wheelchair was one creative arts specialist. “The sisters beyond. Now more sisters can share the of Catherine’s only ways to participate absolutely love it. I never dreamt we spirit of BVM Foundress Mary Frances in off-site activities. And her trip to the would have anything this nice and so Clarke and the BVM core values and park to see the lights last year? Because many sisters are benefiting.” mission with more people. her wheelchair sat so high, she could only Since its maiden voyage last summer, “The bus enables me to do more in look through the top of the door and the the bus has taken the sisters on more terms of outreach and having sisters share chairlift. She missed everything. adventures than Julie can count. A peek at their lives,” says Lori. “It’s a gift that keeps With fewer sisters able to be her calendar shows it’s out nearly every day on giving.” volunteer drivers, sisters at Mount taking sisters anywhere they want to go. Whether it’s a trip to the craft store Carmel began to rely on staff and the “The sisters love it,” says Julie. “They to buy yarn to knit scarves for victims of small van for their transportation needs. ask me, ‘can we go here to see this? Or here human trafficking or a trip to the local art This meant many sisters were unable to for supper?’ and we just go. It’s wonderful.” museum to see an exhibit featuring BVM participate in activities. With a big smile, she shares about artists, the larger bus has brought bigger Then, in 2017 something wonderful a recent outing to Dyersville, Iowa, for smiles to BVMs who have dedicated, and happened. Donors came forward during supper. “As we went to leave, a sister continue to dedicate, their lives to helping a 24-hour online giving day to raise more stopped me and said, ‘Wait! We didn’t go those in need. than $35,000 to help purchase a new bus. to the Field of Dreams yet!’ So we turned The bus was a gift of joy, and to the It has space for up to 14 sisters who can around and we went.” donors who made it happen, BVMs now enjoy fun, off-campus experiences and For those unfamiliar with the are grateful. provide those who are physically challenged reference, Dyersville is home to the “Thank you for making this day the opportunity to enjoy the community. movie set of the popular 1989 film, The possible,” says Catherine. “I am looking With sisters like Catherine in mind, the Field of Dreams. forward to many more exciting rides.” 2017–18 Annual Report | 21 Mother & Daughter Honor Sisters Who Shaped Their Lives Jann Phillips (class the school, the community, of ’60) first encountered and the church. A high school librarian, the Sisters of Charity Jaymi has spent 17 years in of the Blessed Virgin the classroom. She credits Mary when she was a BVMs for her decision to be a young girl at St. Paul teacher and to continue even Elementary in San when things were tough. “I don’t think I would’ve Francisco. stayed with being a teacher had Sister Immaculee Walsh, “They treated us with BVM not guided me in my respect,” she reflects. first few years,” says Jaymi. Throughout her “They taught us manners, teaching career, Jaymi has and they just made us During a recent visit to Mount Carmel, Jaymi (second from l.) and Jann found inspiration and Phillips, (r.) never miss a chance to visit with their close BVM friends good women.” Ernestina Molinari and Karen Conover. encouragement through letters from Immaculee and She continued at St. Paul could afford the tuition or you to help you if you were BVMs Maureen (Matteo) High School across the street. couldn’t afford the tuition— struggling with your studies.” O’Brien, Karen Conover, To her, a BVM education was they made it happen.” Because of Carlita’s and others. about so much more than Thinking of the teachers dedication, the school That caring is something learning assignments. who impacted her life the established a scholarship Jaymi truly appreciated when “It was a safe place for most, she remembers Carlita in honor of her more than her grandmother died during me,” she says. “My father was Egner, BVM. 50 years at St. Paul schools. her sophomore year. an alcoholic, so when I went “Sister Carlita was kind Jann’s daughter, Jaymi Philips “The day after she died, to school, I always felt like and compassionate,” says (class of ’91), received the I insisted I was going to I was surrounded by people Jann. “She was an excellent award when she was in the who really cared. Whether you teacher and always willing eighth grade for her service to 2017–2018 Project Based Fundraising Outcomes Giving Tuesday The Giving Tuesday project provided dining room chairs that were “JUST RIGHT” for our sisters.