BUILDING THE FUTURE ONE FAMILY AT A TIME Annual Report 2004 – 2005 Saint Vincent’s Day Home Serving God’s people...with the full measure of one’s life Sister Ann Maureen Celebrates aureen Murphy attended Holy Family Day Home as a child, but didn’t like it much and Her Golden wanted to stay home. She didn’t have that option because her mother worked, and M drove a car—somewhat scandalous in those times—so off she went. Jubilee She returned in her high school years as a volunteer. It was then that she began to appreciate the Day Home for the work it did for children and families. This experience also allowed her to see the human side of the Sisters—real people who competed in jacks tournaments and played Recollections from a Friend basketball with the children. I have known Maureen (Sister Ann Teacher, Nurse, Housewife, Nun? Maureen) since we were high-school For Sister Ann Maureen’s generation, women’s choices were generally pretty classmates at Immaculate Conception limited, and none of them were immediately compelling. Part of her fought the Academy in San Francisco. idea of the convent, but it was the other side of her that won out. And once she While Maureen was one of the knew, there was never a question of which A Passion for more quiet members of our circle, she order she would choose. Social Justice was also humorous and fun-loving. Sister Ann And she could be a bit of a rebel. I Doing the Work Others Don’t Do Maureen recall one Lenten Season when the The Sisters of the Holy Family are known combines her Sisters told us to remove the photos as the “gleaners,” those who go into the commitment of movie stars we had taped up in our fields after they have been harvested, to social justice lockers. Maureen, who was a big fan and take what’s left. They were found- with her ministry of Rock Hudson (she later met him in ed to seek out with compassion the to serve children person), covered his photograph in a poor and needy, especially fami- and families. In 1976, she purple shroud instead. lies. The Sister of the Holy Family traveled with a group to El I will never forget the day she were the first in California to Salvador and Nicaragua, announced to us that she was enter- establish Day Homes to serve a trip she describes as an ing the convent. We were sitting at children of the working “eye opener.” There were the table having our dessert and cof- poor—striving to nurture heavy restrictions on what fee when she said she had something children and help keep they could bring with them to show us. She took put on a pair of families together. —books or items related to small, rimless glasses that only nuns Sister Ann Maureen liberation theology were for- wore in those days—it got the mes- has spent her entire bidden. She and her fellow sage across! adult life fulfilling travelers visited the Embassy Today, Ann Maureen remains a this mission. and Congress, visited prisons, true and constant friend. She is one and talked to people on the streets. of those people that makes you feel 50 Years The experience recharged her huma- close no matter what time passes nitarian spirit, and she has remained between talking to or seeing each of Service as a Sister a passionate activist for human rights other. I have followed her work over of the Holy issues ever since. She’s participated in peace the years, and my admiration contin- Family marches, learned how to get arrested properly ues to grow. Sister Ann (and has done so successfully several times), and Congratulations Dear Friend! Maureen was continues to be ardent when she becomes aware of –DIANE TERESE RAFFERTY sent on her first personal injustices people are forced to endure. mission to Holy We Can’t Do It Without Each Other Family Day Home Never letting anything keep her down, Sister Ann Maureen is a in San Francisco, 26-year survivor of cancer, recounting that “…I’m not supposed to where she spent be alive.” Alive she is, with plenty of energy and enthusiasm as she the next 10 years forges ahead in her role as Saint Vincent’s Development Director, teaching in almost writing proposals, securing grants, and building new community every age group. partnerships. She says that she loves fund raising, even though Over time she taught children for more than “…most people look at you like you’re crazy.” She attributes much 12 years and served 20 years as Executive of her energy to the many people who have been so faithful to and Director at two Day Homes—Saint Vincent’s generous with Saint Vincent’s, stating humbly that “...we can’t do Day Home and Holy Family Day Home. Her it without each other.” second mission was teaching kindergarten at Holy Child Day Home in Reno, Nevada. She taught kindergarten one more year at Saint As a Sister of the Holy Family, Vincent’s Day Home and became the Director “Sister Ann Maureen has been teacher, From top right: Maureen at three the following year for the next decade. In 1984 years old with her dad Frank Murphy she served for four years as Vice President of the Sisters of the mentor and friend to thousands of Holy Family Congregation. This term was followed by 13 more Sister Ann Maureen at Saint children and families in the Bay Area years of service at Holy Family Day Home in San Francisco. In Vincent’s in the 1970s 2001 Sister Ann Maureen returned to Oakland and has been very and Reno and through her various With traveling companions in happy to be back at Saint Vincent’s as the friend-maker, fund- involvements in social justice activities. Nicaragua raiser for the past four years. She currently serves as a Board Her greatest gift to each of us has been Newest family member Joel takes Member of Saint Elizabeth’s Day Home in San Jose, and this center stage at a recent celebration year, celebrates her Golden Jubilee, 50 years of service as a her shining example of integrity and honoring Sister Ann Maureen’s Sister of the Holy Family. graciousness. Jubilee Year ” Corinne M. Mohrmann, Executive Director 1 Here are just a few highlights from our year. To keep current with Day Home news, visit our website at www.svdh.org. Our Playtime Just Keeps Getting Better—and Safer Too! After months of a restricted play space for the children, torn up yard and the buzz of construction, our newly renovated playground is open for business and already getting a Year in workout from the children. This new play space includes a trike and bike path, seating areas and work tables, plenty of Review shade trees, rubberized safety surfacing and ADA accessibility—not to mention some very cool structures for climbing, sliding and hanging out on. Our heartfelt thanks go to the California Department of Education, Edward J. Daly Foundation, Rosie’s For All Kids Foundation, Saints & Sinners, the Bernard & Alba Witkin Charitable Trust, and to all of our wonderful individual supporters who helped make this exciting new playspace a reality. Letter from the Executive Director 2005 Annual Golf Tournament a Swinging Success This year’s Golf Tournament and Dinner featured Dear Friends, some great shots and good fun for all. This event grows in popularity every year, and grows in funds It has been another exciting and action-packed year at the Day raised as well. Special thanks for making this event Home. As you’ll see as you read on, our new playgrounds are happen goes to this year’s Event Chairperson, Beth Ramos. Thanks also to Matt Haley, Erin McGlynn, being enjoyed by the children, our new Family Literacy Annie Appel Ratto, Carol Corrigan and the rest of the Program co-directors are on board and local partnerships are committee members and volunteers who spent many hours planning and organizing to make this event a springing up. success. Most importantly, our heartfelt thanks goes As the children grow and learn in a safe, fun, and nurturing to everyone who came out to play For the Children! environment, the adults are busy working to move the program forward. By adults, I mean not only the staff here at Saint Eight Afghani Educators Visit the Day Home in Efforts Vincent’s, but also our many friends who volunteer countless to Bridge the Digital Divide As part of our Bridging the Divides literacy program, eight Afghani women visited the Day hours of energy and talent. Volunteers help us meet our goal of Home in June. This visit was part of an exchange between providing a home away from home for the children who need Chico State University, Saint Vincent’s and this delegation from Afghanistan. The exchange is designed to help us share method- it most. In the 94-year history of the Day Home, volunteer sup- ologies and systems to ensure that all children and adults port has filled in many gaps and made the difference in our have a chance to succeed in life. These Afghani educators are working to instruct other women in Afghanistan who have ability to fulfill our mission. been denied the opportunity to learn. One of the hopes is that We continue to seek out professional men and women to these previously uneducated women will be able to teach their children basic skills and get them ready to start school.