January 2024

January Began with Christian Unity Prayer Service and concluded with Liturgical Dance

There is a saying that “time flies when you’re having fun!” Well it is so true here at St. Augustine Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor. We welcomed the Year 2024 with two important events in January!

On Friday, January 19, the Residents, Little Sisters and the employees had the opportunity to participate in the Prayer Service to mark the Week of Christian Unity. Fr. Chris Johnson, SJ from Brebeuf Preparatory School, Rev. Jim Gentry from United Methodist Church and Anthony Akogo, led the Prayers and Worship and exhorted the attendees around the theme for this Year “You Shall Love the Lord Your God and Your Neighbor as yourself.” Betty Mullin, Independent Resident read the Scripture and Emily Mingus, St. Augustine Home’s Music Therapist, led the singing while several employees joined the singing. It is everyone’s prayer that one day all Christians will be united. The guests, Little Sisters and Residents then gathered in the dining room for light refreshments and conversation.

Then, the following Friday, January 26, those who attended the Friday 11 a.m. Mass in the Home’s Chapel were surprised by the presence of several members of the Barangay Club of Indiana wearing beautiful native Filipino costumes. As the Entrance Hymn began, three young Filipino women entered in the middle aisle carrying a statue of the Infant of Prague. They began to process in a graceful liturgical dance! Upon reaching the front of the sanctuary, there in the front of the altar, they placed the statues. They performed a traditional Sinulog (See-noo-loag) dance in Honor of the Feast of Sto. Nino (Filipino term for the Infant of Prague) and animated the Mass with Filipino Hymns using guitar accompaniment. As the Mass concluded, the three young women, together with their other members wearing headpieces, gathered in the middle aisle and processed out swaying the statue in their hands.

What a lovely way to express the deep Catholic faith of the Filipinos! The Barangay Club members decided that they would like to spend more time with the Residents and so they stayed and had a nice visit in the dining room. The group leader promised that they will come back to entertain the Residents. We hope soon! May this visit mark the beginning of the new friendship between the Filipino Barangay Club and the Residents and Little Sisters in St. Augustine Home.