Chardon Associates invited Sisters on the second floor healthcare of Chardon SND Center to participate in a Tribute to Mary on May 22, 2022. For the very successful event, Associates escorted the Sisters individually, pushing wheelchairs and helping those with mobility issues in a processional line to enter the Chapel. Each Sister and Associate placed a spring flower in a vase before the statue of Mary and then joined the large group that encircled the altar. Planned around a theme of “Sing of Mary,” a celebration of the Visitation, the tribute included hymns, scripture, poetry, the Litany of Loreto, and an Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary written by Pope Francis.
After the tribute, everyone gathered to enjoy refreshments and conversation. Event organizers knew that interaction between Sisters and Associates, and social times together, were among the top requests of Associates in the national survey completed last year. This tribute fulfilled that wish. Many participants expressed appreciation for the beauty and deep spirituality of the time together – and asked that it be on the calendar every year.
Florida Associates gathered for celebration of the Eucharist in both Clearwater and Winter Garden. Like Mary and Elizabeth, during their visits they rejoiced in one another’s company. Cynthia Diggett and Sr. Susan Marie Reineck, SND, came 150 miles from Jacksonville to Winter Garden to join the group for the Associate Feastday. After liturgy, the groups enjoyed dinner together. Plans for next year are underway to include outreach which has been limited due to constraints of the pandemic.
by Dreamhost