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- Statue of Our Lady of Fatima lent by a Resident.
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- Mass; Rev. Tom Smith, our chaplain officiating.
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- Beautiful statue of Our Lady of Fatima, brought back from Fatima many years ago by a Resident.
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- Yummy French pastries!
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- Cream puffs to die for.
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- Vanilla napoleons were a hit.
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- David, our Resident comedian, with Charity, one of our singers.
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- Charity performed songs in English and her native language. More than 250 dialects are spoken in her native Ghana.
We had a wonderful celebration yesterday on the 225th anniversary of Saint Jeanne Jugan! The Residents had a delicious cooked-to-order breakfast buffet and then Mass at 11:00 a.m. Fr. Tom took our concern for vocations to heart and preached about being God’s instruments to invite young people to consider a priestly or religious vocation. After the homily we recited the prayer of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary written by Mother General Maria for this occasion. She asked that throughout the whole Congregation we consecrate ourselves, our homes and all who collaborate with us to the Immaculate Heart of Mary as a fitting birthday gift for our foundress! We had prepared for this consecration by gathering every afternoon for the last 12 days to pray the rosary together.
In the afternoon we gathered again in the café for a birthday party in Saint Jeanne Jugan’s honor. For this once in a lifetime event we splurged on French pastries from a very fine bakery downtown. The owners/bakers are certified authentic, having come from northern French. Their ultra fresh napoleons, cream puffs apple tarts and croissants were delicious!
The entertainment at the party would have made Saint Jeanne Jugan very happy. We enjoyed singing performances, comedy and poetry from staff, family and Residents, representing Ghana, the Philippines, India, Jamaica and the U.S.A. The afternoon could have gone on forever … or at least until the cream puffs ran out!
