The following article, which appeared in the most recent newsletter that went out to your sisters, was written by Mary Stover who plans and organizes activities for our retired sisters who live in Assisi House. I thought it provided a great look into how dedicated these sisters are in finding ways to carry out our mission! A few years ago I stayed in Assisi House when I was recuperating from surgery and had the opportunity to participate each week during Lent in making sandwiches. What a beautiful experience that was seeing these sisters sitting around a table together, chatting as they made and wrapped these sandwiches!
“Come. You have my Father’s blessing! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me. I was ill and you comforted me, in prison and you came to visit me." Then the just will ask him: “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or see you thirsty and give you drink? When did we welcome you away from home or clothe you? When did we visit you when you were ill or in prison?" The king will answer them: "I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me." (Matthew 25:34-40)
The sisters who reside here at Assisi House continue their mission of service with ministries that answer the call to see our Lord’s face in everyone they meet and also in those strangers who are suffering. Our Prison Pen-Pal Ministry consists of a group of sisters who write to men in prison through the organization Mary, Mother of Captives and the Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor. Our group currently has 11 members who write to their pen-pals at least once a month. We also gather together to share our letters and to discuss ways on how we can be of help to these men. The prisoners to whom we write are very appreciative. They don’t always write back regularly but more than one sister has received a letter from her pen-pal thanking her for her faithfulness and begging her not to stop writing to him or to give up on him. For some of these men, the letters that they receive from their sister pen-pal is the only contact that they have from the outside world.
“Come. You have my Father’s blessing! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me. I was ill and you comforted me, in prison and you came to visit me." Then the just will ask him: “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or see you thirsty and give you drink? When did we welcome you away from home or clothe you? When did we visit you when you were ill or in prison?" The king will answer them: "I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me." (Matthew 25:34-40)
The sisters who reside here at Assisi House continue their mission of service with ministries that answer the call to see our Lord’s face in everyone they meet and also in those strangers who are suffering. Our Prison Pen-Pal Ministry consists of a group of sisters who write to men in prison through the organization Mary, Mother of Captives and the Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor. Our group currently has 11 members who write to their pen-pals at least once a month. We also gather together to share our letters and to discuss ways on how we can be of help to these men. The prisoners to whom we write are very appreciative. They don’t always write back regularly but more than one sister has received a letter from her pen-pal thanking her for her faithfulness and begging her not to stop writing to him or to give up on him. For some of these men, the letters that they receive from their sister pen-pal is the only contact that they have from the outside world.
| Sr. Mary Teresa Carmichael, who coordinates the Prison Pen-Pal Project, hold a statue of Mary, Mother of Captives, that she received from the organization that connects the sisters with the prisoners. |
Another ministry is the Bologna Sandwich Service Project. Every week during Lent, the sisters gather to make bologna sandwiches which are then given to St. Francis Inn to feed those who are poor and homeless. St. Francis Inn is located in Philadelphia. Assisi House has been a contributor for many years now. We make on average 200 sandwiches a week and as you can imagine “many hands make light work.” Our sisters who reside in Clare Hall also contribute by filling treat bags with hard candy that are distributed along with the sandwiches. The sisters love doing this project every year and after every session, without fail, each of us goes away with a huge craving for bologna!
Throughout the year the sisters also work on Community Service Projects (CSP) which may benefit students, staff, or visitors. A special CSP is cutting coupons, a project which entails cutting and sorting coupons that are then sent overseas to our Army, Navy, and Air force bases. Soldiers and their families really appreciate the chance to save money on the essentials and for our sisters, this is just one more way to help where there is a need.
| (beginning far left) Srs. Francis Madaio, Doretta Egan, Alphonsus Moran, Jean Clare Rohe, and Theresa Mary Mich clip coupons which will be eventually be sent to families of military personnel. |
Well, as the saying goes, “There is no rest for the weary” which is so true here at Assisi House. Through their prayer and continued service, the sisters will keep shining a light into the darkness to extend a helpful hand.
