Payment and registration is available with Venmo. Using the “What’s this for” window in the Venmo app, please enter “Brunch” and list the names of attendees. Click here to register and pay using Venmo.
To pay by check for this event, please mail your payment with the names of attendees to: St. John’s University Ladies of Charity c/o Vincentian Center for Church and Society 8000 Utopia Parkway Sun Yat Sen, Room 122 Queens, NY 11439
Juniors president, Ariana Yepez, and LC Juniors Co-Moderator Anna Rocchio
Easter break in April provided a unique opportunity for the Junior Ladies of Charity from St. John’s Preparatory School. Accompanied by St. John’s University Ladies of Charity Junior moderators Pat Mulé and Anna Rocchio and LC member Jen Borg, the Juniors visited St. John’s Bread & Life in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. The experience left an indelible impression on the group. Juniors president, Ariana Yepez, reflected on the day’s events:
“I had the opportunity to work in the kitchen, where we helped prepare and pack lunches for people in need. The meals we put together included cereal, milk, cookies, and fruit, seemingly ordinary yet substantial items that could bring comfort and nourishment and make a difference in someone’s day. I was responsible for carefully placing the food into containers, ensuring each was filled properly and neatly, knowing that these packages would soon be handed out to individuals and families who rely on this support.
“Though the service hours we earn through school are part of a requirement, that’s never why we do it. What matters most is the feeling of purpose and connection that comes from helping others, even in a small way.
“It’s humbling to take part in something that directly touches lives, and being behind the scenes in the kitchen gave me a deeper appreciation for the volunteers who show up consistently, not for credit, but simply to give.”
The Juniors plan a return visit to St. John’s Bread & Life in June.
Merry Christmas As we prepare for the birth of our Lord, the Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University wish you the gift of HOPEfor Christmas. We have been blessed by the guidance of our Spiritual Advisor, Fr. Patrick J. Griffin, C.M., who led us in a virtual Advent Retreat to discover the meaning of HOPE in these challenging times. As he taught us, “hope gives strength to the present … it summons us to use our resources well …it is a commitment to life. Hope orients us to the future.” HOPE is a special gift from God.
2020 challenged us in so many ways — our lives revolved around remote learning, zoom meetings, social distancing and hand sanitizer. We mourned the loss of loved ones and prayed for the speedy recovery of others. We learned how to pivot (the buzz word of 2020) and engaged in outreach projects that redefined service. The Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University wish you and your loved ones, a Merry Christmas and New Year filled with Peace, HOPE and Love.
Our Service Projects
Since 2009 we have cheerfully celebrated the spirit of giving with the School Sisters of Notre Dame Educational Center (Woodhaven, Queens) at an annual Christmas Party. This year we were not able to host our traditional Christmas breakfast but we were able to continue our tradition of offering gifts to each of their students. Practicing social distancing we put gift bags together for 50 women and took a moment to reflect on the spirit of Christmas.
Working together atOur Lady of Fatima Food Pantry
The Junior Ladies of Charity at St. John’s Prep in Astoria, Queens, learned how to make lap blankets by hand through a zoom tutorial lead by Anna Rocchio. These blankets will be distributed to residents at Ozanam Home in Queens. Since October the Ladies of Charity have lovingly knit more than 50 blankets for our brothers and sisters.
MOMMAS HOUSE
In 2019 we honored Patricia Shea, the Founder and Executive Director of Mommas House with the Spes Unica award at our Evening of Hope event. Mommas House began in 1986 with a home in Malverne, NY offering support to young mothers (ages 18-24) and their babies. Mommas House provides physical shelter and a stable environment to young mothers who are nurtured and taught to provide child care and parenting skills while encouraged to obtain schooling and job training. The Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University celebrate Life and the joy of Christmas with Mommas House. This year we cheerfully and safely collected gifts for fornew Moms and their babies.
Prayer & Spirituality
We pray for grace in performing all actions to help our neighbors with charity, humility, and simplicity. Our prayers focus on love and unity, so needed in our world and our country today. Visit our website to download a copy of The Ladies of Charity Prayer Join us, every Monday at 5 pm via Zoom. We continue to pray for our loved ones, neighbors, our country and our world. For more information on how to participate, email Pat Mulé
