After gathering together for Mass in St. Augustine Chapel, 85 Volunteers, Master Gardeners and Gardeners, and St. Augustine Guild members received an enthusiastic THANK YOU and prayers from Mother Mary Vincent and all the Little Sisters at a dinner held in Lanagan Hall. Mother Mary Vincent thanked the volunteers for “bringing sunshine into the hearts of the Residents” either directly or indirectly, day by day.
Independentsector.com assigns a dollar value to volunteer work. Using their formula, our combined volunteers provided the dollar equivalent of $510,128 of work for the home and our Residents. As exciting as that impressive number is, the quality, love, care, and skill brought to that work are priceless.
Mother Mary Vincent recalled the thoughts of a volunteer at the Sisters’ Latham, New York Home. Asking her if she thought about what our “First Judgment” will be, when we die. Then he continued, saying he believed it would be like a movie with everyone we have interacted with during our lives. We will be physically able to see the Christ in each person as we watch. We will be able to judge our own success as Christians when we see who we have treated as Christ, and who not. We will easily determine the outcome of our judgment by what we see in our lives. Mother Mary Vincent continued by saying that the volunteers consistently, lovingly see the face of Jesus in our Residents and reflect that vision in all they offer.
Then, as the Sisters sang “You Are My Sunshine”, they distributed a happy sunshine clip and gift bag to each attendee. Oh, and as it so often happens with the Little Sisters, the Home received an unexpected basket of glorious sunflowers shortly before Mass. God’s sunshine glowed before the altar.
Click here to view a photo slideshow from this event.
Volunteer Mass and Dinner