Spring 2019 Newsletter
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Little Sisters Of The Poor www.littlesistersofthepoorindianapolis.org st. augustine home Spring 2019 Serving the elderly poor in Indianapolis since 1873. by Resident Nora Cummings, the woman who invited the Little Sisters to begin a foundation in her native Cincinnati. They heard about Mrs. Peter’s various trips to France, including the Little Sisters’ motherhouse, where she met Jeanne Jugan. Because Cincinnati was home to a very large number of German immigrants, St. Michael Challenge Club from German music played in the background Greenfield helped serve appetizers. and guests enjoyed apple strudel as they viewed the many pictures of early Cincinnati life. Finally, our guests traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana. Here they met Margaret Haughery, played by Ann, a Jeanne Jugan Associate, a baker and generous benefactor of the Little Sisters. Also present was Mother Assistant Marie de la Conception in full habit, played by Msgr. Stumpf with Jeanne Jugan Resident Dori Hartter, whose interview Associate Ann playing Margaret Haughery. about the beginning of this foundation was shared via CD. This port was transformed into Café Beignet, where the guests were treated to beignets while listening to the interview. After the tours, some of the guests returned to Lanagan Hall and continued to visit with the Little Sisters and priests. As guests left, our Apartment Residents Little Sisters celebrate 150 years were at the front door to thank them and give them various souvenirs of Saint Welcome to our Newsletter! This fisherman, was lost at sea when Jeanne tact. As Jeanne matured, she received a Everyone, young and old, shared our Jeanne Jugan. It was a day long to be edition is dedicated solely to the 150th was just four-years-old. Her mother marriage proposal from a young sailor, joy and celebration. remembered. anniversary celebration of the Little worked tirelessly to ensure her children but turned it down on two occasions, Sisters’ presence in the United States of had everything they needed, including telling her mother, “God wants me for America! religious instruction, during a period of himself. He is keeping me for a work as Thank You! St. Jeanne Jugan was beatified by great religious and political upheaval, yet unknown, for a work which is not Our deepest gratitude to all As Jeanne Jugan said, ‘Give us the Pope John Paul II on October 03, 1982 strong anti-Catholic sentiment, and yet founded.” our benefactors, volunteers, ❝ and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI even outright persecution, prevailed At age 25, Jeanne joined the Third families and friends who have house; if God fills it, God will not on October 11, 2009. We celebrate St, during this revolutionary period. Order of the Admirable Mother, a been intermediaries of St. abandon it.” And so the Little Sisters’ Jeanne Jugan’s Feast Day on August 30 lay movement founded by St. John Joseph and generously gifted each year. This year, all the celebrations It all started with Jeanne Jugan Eudes. For several years she worked and assisted us in time, talent mission in the United States of around St. Jeanne Jugan and her mission Jeanne learned to knit and spin as a nurse in a hospital in a nearby and treasure in caring for the America began. to serve the elderly poor have taken on wool and became a shepherdess at a town. Succumbing to exhaustion, she elderly in need for 150 years. a special glow as we celebrate 150 years very young age. After receiving a basic was forced to leave the hospital and We will continue to trust in of service in the United States. education, she took a job as a kitchen moved in with a friend twenty years St. Jeanne Jugan, also known as maid in a wealthy family at age 16. her senior. After her friend’s death she Divine Providence for at least To learn more about the Little Sisters in Indianapolis please go to: Sister Mary of the Cross, was born Jeanne accompanied her mistress, the found another companion with whom another 150 years! As Saint www.littlesistersofthepoorindianapolis.org/our-history/ Jeanne Jugan taught us, “We on October 25, 1792 in the French Viscountess de la Choue, on visits to share an apartment. The two middle region of Brittany. Jeanne grew up to the poor and the sick. She thus age women were soon joined by a 17 must always say: ‘Blessed be For the Mission Improbable Podcasts that were featured during God. Thank you, my God. as the sixth of eight children, four of learned the delicate art of bestowing year old orphan girl. our celebration please go to: http://www.littlesistersofthepoor.org. whom died very young. Her father, a charity on the poor with respect and Two years later, in 1839, Jeanne Glory be to God.’” { Click on 150th Anniversary } Indianapolis 150 Anniversary Newsletter.D3.indd 1-2 5/30/19 9:32 AM Spring 2019 Little Sisters Of The Poor st. augustine home Jugan took in an elderly, blind and She let Father Lelievre know she their best efforts to create an event great friend of the Little Sisters. partially paralyzed woman, Anne was prepared to do whatever was worthy of such a momentous Chauvin, and the community of necessary to prepare the way for a occasion. It reminded us of the Stepping back in time the Little Sisters of the Poor was foundation in Cincinnati. determination of Father Lelievre Our guests were then invited born. Within several years this small August 28, 1868, the Little Sisters and the Little Sisters of the Poor to step back in time and visit group grew to a community of over left Brest aboard the Napoleon III. when they first reached our shores! three different ports of call while 2,400 Little Sisters. Under the patronage of St. Joseph, An unexpected package from enjoying a “Sweet Time at Each We enjoyed laughter and friendship with our Benefactors. (in whose intersession the Little Rome arrived just before our Port.” The first stop was the Expansion to the New World Sisters of the Poor have unbounded celebration. It contained a Port of Brooklyn, New York, His Excellency, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio enjoys time with In 1850, a wealthy young man confidence), but speaking no certificate of blessing from Pope where they met Fr. Isaac Hecker, Residents, guests and Sisters. named Ernest Lelievre met the English, they set out for the United Francis on our Home in honor of founder of the Paulist Fathers, Little Sisters of the Poor in Paris. States. Thirteen homes were the 150th celebration. Now, we played by our Resident Bill Fisher, By 1855 he was ordained a priest established in America in the first were really ready to begin! who gave the Little Sisters their and in 1868, Father Ernest Lelievre, four years. As Jeanne Jugan said, Over 240 people attended our first monetary donation. At this priest auxiliary of the Congregation “Give us the house; if God fills it, Mass of Thanksgiving and the port they learned about the first and ambassador of the Little Sisters God will not abandon it.” And so reception that followed. All were mission of the Little Sisters in to the New World, left France for the Little Sisters’ mission in the moved, some to tears, by the America while enjoying a taste of inspiring Liturgy and Archbishop New York cheesecake. They were the United States to pave the way United States of America began. Mother Marie de la Conception played by Resident Dori Hartter. for foundations in America. He met Christophe Pierre’s homily, also able to view a large painting with the archbishop of New York and Hoosiers celebrate which focused on the service of of the ship that brought the Sisters Resident Nora Cummings playing Sarah Peters to a captivated audience. the bishop of Brooklyn. Archbishop On March 19, 2019, the feast the Little Sisters of the Poor, our to America. This painting was John McCloskey of New York asked of St. Joseph, we celebrated 150 faith in Divine Providence and the the work of our activities assistant, for time to reflect and Bishop John years of the Little Sisters of the protection of St. Joseph. Claire Thompson. Also on display Loughlin of Brooklyn gave his assent Poor in America here at our After Mass Archbishop Pierre, was an authentic copy of the ship’s immediately! Meanwhile, Sara Peter, Home. Thoughtful planning with the Apostolic Nuncio, greeted all manifesto with the names of all a wealthy Cincinnatian, learned an “all hands on deck” approach our guests, who were streaming the passengers, including our through Fr. Isaac Hecker, founder preceded the event. There was from the chapel in great number to Little Sisters. of the Paulist Fathers, that the Little seamless cooperation between the share our historical themed meal. The second stop was the Port of Sisters of the Poor were ready to Little Sisters, staff, volunteers and A native of Brittany just like our Cincinnati, Ohio. Here our guests Seminarians, who served at our Mass of Thanksgiving, enjoy a moment of relaxation at our celebration. begin an American foundation. Residents, who all contributed foundress, Archbishop Pierre is a encountered Sarah Peter, played Msgr. Stumpf, Rev. Bonke, Msgr. Schaedel, Archabbot Lambert Reilly celebrated with us. Indianapolis 150 Anniversary Newsletter.D3.indd 3-4 5/30/19 9:32 AM www.littlesistersofthepoorindianapolis.org by Resident Nora Cummings, the woman who invited the Little Sisters to begin a foundation in her native Cincinnati. They heard about Mrs. Peter’s various trips to France, including the Little Sisters’ motherhouse, where she met Jeanne Jugan. Because Cincinnati was home to a very large number of German immigrants, St.