The warm spring and summer weather has awakened us from our winter slumber and energized us for three months of joyous activities! We started May off by welcoming three new AJJ (Association Jeanne Jugan) members (pictured with Mother Catherine and Sr. Veronica below, left to right) – Sally Schweitzer, Rose Giancola and Judy Purcell). AJJ is a lay group spiritually associated with the Little Sisters of the Poor, learning, living and spreading our spirit and charism. The AJJ group at Holy Family Home now numbers 37 members, all who make yearly promises on May 1, feast of St. Joseph the Worker.
Mother’s Day was then upon us and we celebrated and prayed for all mothers at our Sunday Mass. The Board of St. Francis auxiliary group brought beautiful corsages, which our Sisters joyfully gave out to our Residents.
What would May be without a May procession honoring our Blessed Mother? The First Holy Communicants from St. David Parish, Willow Grove, led the procession, with our Resident, Marguerite, carrying up the crown of flowers. The communicants then led the Residents and Sisters in saying the Rosary. Our Residents reminisced afterwards about their first Holy Communion and the numerous May processions in which they participated in their lifetimes.
In May we celebrated Older Americans Month and Nursing Home Week. One of the events was a luncheon for our Residents ages 90 and above. Of our 95 Residents, 34 were in this group!
We were fortunate to have beautiful weather for our June 12 Family Picnic. The grounds were packed with Sisters, Residents, family members, and volunteers, all enjoying the barbecue, buying raffle tickets and baked goods, playing games and splashing in the wading pool, digging into sweet watermelon and water ice. Everyone had a wonderful time just relaxing and enjoying each other’s company on a lazy afternoon. Thank you all for participating in our Summer Raffle!
After celebrating our mothers, we celebrated our fathers! The men in the Home were treated to a delicious lunch and received gift bags from the Board of St. Francis auxiliary members.
Our Residents love being outdoors, so we were very lucky that July 4th was a sunny, mild day for a picnic! Hamburger, hot dogs, corn, baked beans never tasted so good! Patriotic music was playing, the flags were waving, and red, white and blue were on display! Our Resident Shirley (pictured below, left) also celebrated her July 4th birthday!
On July 16, the Little Sisters of the Poor rejoiced as Sister Bernadette Rose Spelic made her first profession of vows as a Little Sister. A native Nebraskan, Sister Bernadette Rose moved to Colorado and first got to know our Congregation in Denver. She is heading to Newark, Delaware for her first assignment as a Little Sister at the service of the elderly. The Sisters also welcomed two new novices – Sister Angela Marie Clare Conti, a Maryland native, and Sister Teresa Marie Moore, from St. Paul, Minnesota, both of whom worked in our Homes as employees when they discerned their vocation. Please continue to join us in praying for more vocations to our Congregation.
On July 19 we welcomed our new Provincial, Mother Alice Marie Monica, who came to visit us for five days. The Residents participated in a lively program which featured Philly and ethnic highlights. The staff also played a role, introducing Mother Provincial to that unique Philly phenomenon known as the Mummers and the Mummer strut!
Have a safe, relaxing rest of the summer!
