On Sunday, June 28, Sisters Fran and Pam, together with board members Joseph Maggio and Eileen McManus and 10 of our kids, attended the Founder's Day mass and picnic at the Good Counsel campus in White Plains, NY. This year is the 123rd anniversary of the founding of the Sisters of Divine Compassion, by Mother Mary Veronica. Representatives from all of the Divine Compassion ministries attended.
Outdoor mass on the Good Counsel campus.
Blessing of the children during mass.
Mustard Seed display.
Picnic lunch under the big tent.
Volleyball.
Water balloon toss.
A painted face.
All the ministries come together under the barbeque tent.
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On Saturday, June 27, the Mustard Seed pool was formally blessed and dedicated. About 110 people attended the ceremony and picnic lunch. Speeches of appreciation and thanks were made by Sisters Pam and Fran, as well as by some of the Mustard Seed kids and parents.
Father Boland blessed the icons of Mother Mary Veronica and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Then everyone moved to poolside for the formal dedication of the pool. The pool is named the "Vero-Lupe" pool in honor of our two spiritual inspirations.
Father John Boland, or Father Jack as he is affectionately known around Mustard Seed, is the pastor of St. Francis de Sales parish in McAfee, NJ. He has been a long time benefactor and supporter of our ministry. He singlehandedly procured the anonymous donor of the pool, and then worked tirelessly to work through the bureaucratic process involved in licensing; legal compliance and meeting regulations. This was a process which took almost two years to complete.
In recognition of Father Boland's loyalty and committment to Mustard Seed and the pool, a special song was written for him: "King of the Pool". which is sung to the tune of the Roger Miller classic "King of the Road."
An outstanding picnic lunch was then enjoyed by all in attendance.
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Through the efforts of one of Mustard Seed's fine benefactors, Dr. JoAnn Quattrone, we now have a new garden plot. The garden will be known as "the Gratitude Garden", in acknowledgement of the many blessings we have received. Dr. Quattrone organized and taught the kids how to plant vegetable and herb plants. She also solicited contributions for the garden in the form of donations of many of the plants, and the fence.
The kids planted tomatoes; eggplants; zucchini; broccoli; cauliflower; peppers and various herbs. The kids will be responsible for the garden upkeep and maintenance. By later in the summer, they should be eating their own home grown produce. We will document their results on this web site.
A view of the garden site prior to planting.
and after planting
The gate for the garden was erected by Mustard Seed Board member Nick Zayatz and the garden was dug out by Board member Joseph Maggio. With the anticipated success of the garden, perhaps it will be expanded in the future.
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On May 2, Sisters Pam and Fran took several Mustard Seed kids to Preston High School in the Bronx to celebrate Three Kings Day. Three Kings Day, or the Epiphany, is actually January 6, but due to inclement weather, the trip had to be postponed in January. So, Mustard Seed had the oppotunity to celebrate a little bit of Christmas in May.
The party was thrown by the Preston High School Spanish Club, led by Ms. Ana Virela. The children were warmly welcomed by Ms. Virela, Sister Carol, and the girls from the Spanish Club. The club led the kids in board games and gym games; had a pizza lunch; and distributed Christmas gifts from the high school students to the Mustard Seed kids.
The Mustard Seed kids and the high school students quickly developed a bond. The Preston students are hopeful of coming to the Mustard Seed home for a pool party this summer.
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On April 26, the sisters hosted a day of reflection and listening at the Mother House of the Sisters of Divine Compassion. Those attending included several members of the Mustard Seed Board of Directors, as well as some members of the volunteer team.
Old and new members enjoyed meeting each other and gathering with the common bond of compassion. Sister Alice led the group in quiet meditation as well as various exercises designed to help each person listen to the voice of God; listen to their hearts; and listen to each other.
The day proved to be a gentle reminder to live in the moment, to take precious time to hear our own feelings, to be generous with our time in listening to others, and to clear away the clutter so that we can feel the Holy Spirit within us.
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