MEET OUR RESIDENTS!

The Postulants have enjoyed sharing in the spiritual riches of life at St. Patrick's Manor with the residents and our Carmelite community during this Lenten season.  Among their spiritual activities are distributing Holy Communion, praying with and visiting our residents especially the sick and dying, attending resident funerals, participating in various church services with the residents such as Mass, Stations of the Cross, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the monthly Interfaith service.  They conduct weekly Stations of the Cross in the convent for the Sisters every Friday during Lent before Evening Prayer.  Other spiritual exercises with the local Community are daily Morning and Evening Prayer and the Monthly Day of Recollection with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

Fr. Louis Bilicky gives Sr. Dianna and Sr. Maureen his blessing

The Postulants attend interfaith service with the residents

Choir members perform at the Interfaith Service in our beautiful chapel

AN AFTERNOON VISIT

 Mount St. Mary's Abbey in Wrentham, Massachusetts is home to the Trappistine Nuns.  Sr. Lois and the Postulants went to visit for an Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament which was exposed in their simple chapel.  The choral chanting of the Divine Office, the permeating silence, and the Eucharistic Presence of Our Lord, collectively created a sacred space for the heart to open up in prayer and recollection.   It was a blessed day to be together in prayer.

Sr. Cathie and Sr. Maureen

Sr. Heather and Sr. Dianna

SETTLING IN JUST FINE!

by Sr. Lois Wetzel, O.Carm

The postulants have settled into St. Patrick's Manor and are all enjoying their mission placements.  The Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, in following the tradition of care established by their foundress Mother Angeline Teresa, are committed to caring for the needs of the whole person.  The postulants are having many opportunities to participate in our mission of wholistic resident care as can be seen by the diverse ways they are serving the residents in their mission placements.

Sr. Dianna, an occupational therapy aide by training,  is enjoying working in the Activity department.  The purpose of the Activity Department is to provide residents with many meaningful ways to use their leisure time.  Activities are diverse and designed to appeal to a wide variety of personalities, interests and abilities. Sr. Dianna has been participating in a wide range of daily activities such as exercise, crafts, bingo and parties, just to name a few!

Sr. Maureen, a speech language pathologist, is working with the Restorative Nursing department whose goal is to help residents to achieve and maintain their highest level of functioning.  Sr. Maureen is enjoying her experience and has used her expertise as a speech therapist in the restorative feeding program.

 Sr. Cathie has worked with the Occupational Therapist and is currently assigned to working with the Physical Therapist.   Sr. Cathie reports that the experience has been "fantastic".  "The therapists treat the residents with such kindness and patience.  They bring their knowledge to situations to help the residents reach their highest potential.  I have learned so much from them".  Sr. Cathie has worked in nursing facilities in the capacity of a psychosocial aide and states that she loves working with the elderly.  She also participates in resident activities.

Sr. Heather is a pharmacist by training.  She has been working with the Infection Control nurse to insure that practices in the facility promote the safety and well-being of our residents.  She participates in Infection Control rounds and audits, education of staff members and helping to prepare audit reports.  Sr. Heather also distributes Holy Communion on the units and in Chapel, as well as visits residents.

VOCATION STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

Vocation work takes dedication and commitment.  We are fortunate to have a group of Sisters willing to take extra time out of their busy schedules to meet and engage in round table discussions and collaboration.  These meetings can be fun too!

We start with a  Prayer Service (beautiful centerpiece here)

Some members of Vocation Steering Committee at their last meeting

Down Memory Lane: Sr. Brigid (R) was Sr. Anthony's (L) sponsor!

REPORT FROM THE POSTULANT DIRECTOR!
by Sr. Lois Wetzel, O.Carm

  

The Postulants were excited to leave for their six month mission experience at St. Patrick's Manor in Framingham Massachusettes.  It was fitting that we stopped at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, MA. to ask God's blessings at the start of this mission journey.  Sr. Cathie comes to us from Chicago and had always wanted to visit the Divine Mercy Shrine.  It was quite exciting for her to realize this dream.

Shrine of Divine Mercy

Nothing wrong with holy window shopping!
(L-R) Sr. Dianna, Sr. Maureen, Sr. Heather)

Happy group!
(L-R) Sr. Heather, Sr. Lois, Sr. Dianna, Sr. Cathie, Sr. Maureen)

 SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!

We finally landed at St. Patrick's Manor, with our Sisters giving  us a warm welcome and a lovely meal.  We also found time to share stories and to engage in plenty of laughs.

We jumped right in and assisted residents at the St. Patrick's Day entertainment.  It was our first experience of a "St. Patrick's Day in Boston" celebration.  The Bostonians go all out and certainly know how to celebrate this great day.  We completed our seven day novena to St. Patrick, celebrated the Eucharist, and enjoyed a lovely meal, as part of our Community tradition and celebration.

Sr. Helen Rosarie and Sr. Shawn Bernadette greeted our newly arrived Postulants

WE'RE GOING TO OUR MISSION!

Sr. Cathie, Sr. Heather, Sr. Maureen and Sr. Dianna, along with their Postulant Director Sr. Lois, left today for St. Patrick's Manor in Framingham, Massachusetts.  The group will be staying in St. Patrick's Manor for about six months and will be working with our Residents and Staff as part of their formation experience in the care of the elderly.  God bless you, Sisters!  In the words of John L. Bell in his song "The Summons"- Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?  Will you go where you don't know and never be the same? Will you let my love be shown? Will you let my name be known? Will you let my life be grown in you and in me?"

Celebrating World Day of Consecrated Life

Our Carmelite Sisters from Marian Manor, South Boston and St. Patrick's Manor, Framingham, attended the World Day of Consecrated Life celebration at Boston College on March 3, 2012.  Sr. Barbara Metz, SND, was the keynote speaker.  Sister spoke beautifully on the "call" stories in the Gospel of Mark and reflected on  the essential elements of religious life as presented in the Gospel accounts.  Since Vatican II there has been many changes in the structure of religious life but the essential elements have not changed.  Religious life is still radical by its nature and is always lived in response to a call from God.  As in the Gospels, Jesus calls his followers while they are in the midst of their daily lives and occupations.  The followers respond by seeking to be in relationship with Jesus and to be where he is.  The various ways that congregations have served the Church in the past and the ways in which religious will serve in the future are in response to the spirit of their charisms which is given by the Spirit to serve the needs of the world.

Our Sisters from St. Patrick's Manor and Marian Manor

(Right) Sr. Marian Batho, CSJ (standing for Religious Delegates in Boston, MA) with Sr. Heather (One of our Postulants)

Carmelite Sisters