Little Sisters of the Poor Jeanne Jugan Residence Summer 2019 In Thanksgiving What a blessed year it has been! a congregation of more than 300 who reception in the Cathedral Hall sharing A commemorative year filled with shared in this momentous occasion. in the joys of the day with deep gratitude celebration, praise and thanksgiving. The celebration began and reverence for our Mother The joy of this jubilee year was palpable with a procession led by Foundress, Saint Jeanne Jugan. in every one of our Homes across the the “Pilgrim Tapestry” After Mass Bishop Tobin country as each celebrated the 150th which had made its own told the Rhode Island Catholic, Anniversary of our congregation’s arrival “pilgrimage” from our “Just as the first disciples, in the United States. Mother House in France, the apostles, changed the The first Little Sisters of the Poor travelling to locations world I think we can truly arrived from France on American shores of the beginnings of say the Little Sisters of the in September 1868 and within four years the congregation before Poor around the world and thirteen homes had been established in departing for America in our country and in our this country. Our mission began in Rhode and our present day own diocese here have really Island in 1881. Jeanne Jugan Residence Homes. Central to changed the world for the is a bit shy in years, but not so shy in our each of our Homes better in their own spirituality, celebration! On May 4, Bishop Thomas commemorative their holiness and their J. Tobin and priests from the Diocese of celebrations, the generosity in serving the poor Providence joined Little Sisters, Residents, Belgian, hand-made and the elderly.” staff, families, volunteers, and benefactors tapestry represents the living presence of In the words of Jeanne Jugan, “Love God for a Mass of Thanksgiving. Saint Jeanne Jugan in the heart of each very much, so that you can look after the The excitement began early that community and depicts the experience of aged well, for it is Jesus whom you care for in morning when Sisters, Residents, and our pioneering Little Sisters. them.” families boarded a bus en route to the At the beginning of Mass Mother For more on the 150th Mass of Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Provincial Alice Mary Monica recounted Thanksgiving at the Cathedral of Providence. Breathtaking and beautifully the arrival of the Little Sisters so many Saints Peter and Paul in Providence, adorned with Easter lilies, azaleas, and years ago and gave a brief, moving account including a photo gallery: http://www. deep blue hydrangeas, God’s house was of our history. At the conclusion of our littlesistersofthepoorpawtucket.org/ filled with a festive air and welcomed Eucharistic celebration, guests enjoyed a news-events/ JEANNE JUGAN RESIDENCE | 964 MAIN STREET PAWTUCKET, RI 02860| WWW.LITTLESISTERSOFTHEPOORPAWTUCKET.ORG Little Sisters of the Poor Reflections on Spring into Service by Mary Grace Stirton This is my second summer working with the Little Sisters awareness that everything contains His grace and blessing, that of the Poor and I expected the experience to be familiar every interaction is simply a chance to interact with Him. and routine. Last summer, at St. Joseph Home in Enfield, Father Caul, the retired priest with whom I am blessed to Connecticut, I learned what it was like to work with the elderly share a meal each morning captured the essence of this in a and to enter into the loving family the recent homily. During Mass around Sisters create in their Homes. So upon Trinity Sunday Father offered, “let the my arrival at Jeanne Jugan Residence in Holy Trinity wrap you so tightly in love Pawtucket, Rhode Island, I figured I had that you feel it from the tips of your toes to already “learned the ropes” of Spring into the top of your head.” This focus on God Service and knew what to expect and results in a beauty that shines forth from what was expected of me. your being. Every act and every moment But God likes to surprise us! Last is informed by this and everything you summer God helped me to become a do will reveal God to those around you stronger and happier person through the Father Caul and Mary Grace because of the focus on Him above all else. simple joys of interacting with the Residents and the Sisters. This has defined my summer and what I have pursued and Last summer I became more open and outgoing versus the what I have tried to become. What better place to undertake introverted individual I was before. such a pursuit? The Sisters are perfect role models of the This summer, God built on that. The Homes of the Little goal I hope to achieve! They have given their lives over in Sisters of the Poor radiate love and peace and they stand out such pure love to Jesus. It shines through their actions and as a safe harbor of joy amidst the worldly distractions and interaction. stresses of our lives. This summer, in the steady schedule One might often wonder how the Sisters radiate so much of Mass and prayer, in the quiet of this Home and in the joy and affection every time they interact with a Resident. Chapel, my faith and relationship with God has been The answer: it is because in every face they see, every hand strengthened. This summer, He came to reveal Himself to me they touch, they are loving Him. in everything. This summer hasn’t been about me learning Please enjoy Laura’s reflections at: http://www. new social skills. It has been about Him and a constant littlesistersofthepoorpawtucket.org/blog/ Resident Milestones We are often blessed to witness and celebrate God’s gifts of life and love among our Resident Family and it was our privilege to celebrate three milestone moments this year. In May we celebrated the 100th birthday of our newest centenarian, Deolinda! We all rejoiced in this momentous occasion along with Ray and Dolores (left) and Mary and Oscar (center) celebrate 60 years of marriage. Deolinda members of Deolinda’s family and (right) celebrates her 100th birthday. many friends from Jeanne Jugan couples Mary and Oscar and Churches in Pawtucket. The couples Residence. Among all that Deolinda Raymond and Dolores celebrated were introduced by a mutual friend proudly shared about her long life their 60th wedding anniversaries. and years later they worked for the we were impressed to learn that after With joy and gratitude both couples Little Sisters of the Poor, “The Old returning to school in her forties she reminisced about meeting for the Home,” as they called it. And now received top honors in accounting at first time and there were many they live at Jeanne Jugan Apartments Kenyon Business School. That her coincidences! Each of the couples’ and of course remain very good birthday falls on the Feast of Our first dates was at a popular spot, Jack friends! Lady of Fatima makes this a special Whitschi’s Sports Arena in nearby Happy 100th Birthday, Deolinda! day indeed. Massachusetts. Both couples dated for Happy 60th Anniversary Ray and On July 4th we marked two about eight months and were married Dolores, Mary and Oscar! Praise be to additional milestones when Resident on the same day in two different God! WWW.LITTLESISTERSOFTHEPOORPAWTUCKET.ORG JEANNE JUGAN RESIDENCE Summer 2019 More than a decade of friendship For the past fourteen years it has been our privilege to be invited to neighboring McCoy Stadium to share America’s pastime with Boston’s Triple-A affiliate, the Pawtucket Red Sox. This annual summertime tradition was sparked by the friendship and generosity of longtime team owner, the late Ben Mondor, a tradition that continues today due to the kindness and partnership of the current PawSox organization. We extend our deepest gratitude to all who have supported the event over the years and look forward to enjoying the 2020 season at McCoy with our great Photo Credits: Lauren Clem, The Valley Breeze and the PawSox friends at the PawSox! Honored and profoundly humbled On May 15 the Little Sisters of the Poor received Mother Mercy accepts the award from Bishop a Lumen Gentium Catholic Service Award from the Thomas J. Tobin Diocese of Providence. The Lumen Gentium awards recognize individuals and groups for their contributions to the life of the Church and service to those most in need in the Dio- cese. The Little Sisters were the recipients of the award in the category of “Community Service and Charitable Outreach” in recognition of the more than 100 years of service in the Diocese ministering to the elderly at Jeanne Jugan Residence in Pawtucket. Honored to be counted among many dedicated indi- viduals and organizations who have contributed to the life of the Diocese, we were at the same time profound- ly humbled. In an interview with the Rhode Island Catholic, Mother Mercy explained, “We don’t like to Photo Credit: Laura Kilgus, RI Catholic be in the spotlight, but this is for the glory of God. The For more on the 2019 Lumen Gentium Awards - arti- elderly are precious to society, they are the core of our cles, profiles, and photos, go to: http://www.littlesister- society. Taking care of them is our mission as sisters. It softhepoorpawtucket.org/news-events/ is a gift from God.” WWW.LITTLESISTERSOFTHEPOORPAWTUCKET.ORG Serving the elderly poor in Pawtucket since 1881. mother’s message Dear Friends, Mother Mercy remains grateful to you for It is a blessing to return to Rhode your friendship and Island.