The Ladies of Charity and Junior Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University embraced a Sesame Street theme for this year’s St. Mary’s Hospital Annual Trunk or Treat, held on October 20th. And our trunk was Cookie Monster! Kudos to our members who decorated the trunk!
At the end of a fun-filled day under beautiful skies, it was difficult to decide who enjoyed the event more—the Ladies and Juniors of Charity, or the Halloween Trunk or Treaters in their delightful costumes!
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December 2019 brought us together in service with St. John’s University Vincentian Institute for Social Action as we prepared for our first Midnight Run. Midnight Run coordinates over 1,000 relief missions per year, in which volunteers distribute food, clothing, blankets and personal care items to the homeless poor on the streets of New York City.
The late-night relief efforts create a forum for trust, sharing, understanding and affection. That human exchange, rather than the exchange of goods, is the essence of the Midnight Run mission. One team of our Ladies prepared sandwiches and put other nutritious items like juice boxes, hard boiled eggs and string cheese, in to 70 food bags that were handed out to the homeless in NYC.
Our second team sorted personal items, underwear, socks, jeans and jackets for distribution. Once intransit in a St. John’s van, Ms. Lucy Pesce, of the SJU Mission Office, led the effort of distributing food bags and clothing to our brothers and sisters on the street. One of our Ladies commented, “The Midnight Run provided as much for me as it provided for the people I met. It was truly an amazing experience.”
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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.
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The Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University will join Campus Ministry’s Walk for the Homeless to be held on Good Friday, April 22nd. We invite members and friends to join us. Contact Marie Nitopi for more information about walking with us.
Click on the link below for more general information.
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
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The Ladies of Charity at St. John’s were honored to be a part of the Confirmation celebrations for the students of St. Camillus and St. Virgilius 2013. This combined parish was severely damaged as a result of Hurricane Sandy, and the Ladies wished to offer both spiritual and financial support as the students embarked on their final Sacrament of Initiation. The Ladies worked in conjunction with the Archdiocese of Washington to raise funds to provide each of the students with a Bible, a gift card and to celebrate together with a pizza party. The remainder of funds were presented to Pastor Rev. Richard J. Ahlemeyer to help refurbish the parish church building.
Ladies Mary Ann Dantuono, Natalie Boone, Mary Ellen Freeley and Marge Cashin were on hand at the party, along with Sr. Mary Ann to serve the pizza and deliver the gifts.
From Left: Mary Ann Dantuono, Marge Cashin and Mary Ellen Freeley
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Mary Ann Dantuono speaks to the seminarians about the Ladies of Charity work.
St. John’s University Ladies of Charity recently visited Miraculous Medal House in Queens, N.Y., to meet with Vincentian seminarians studying at the University. This gathering of two branches of the Vincentian Family fostered collaboration and mutual learning.
The afternoon featured presentations on the history and work of the Ladies of Charity, an organization founded by St. Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac in 1617 in Châtillon, France. This organization was the first of what is now recognized as the Vincentian Family.
The seminarians explored the extensive programs implemented by the Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University, both locally and on national and international levels.
The day concluded with a productive discussion about potential collaboration between the two groups. Both parties look forward to future meetings together.
By Kathleen Prager
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