Risk -Taking

“To love means loving the unlovable.
To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable.
Faith means believing the unbelievable.
Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.”


“To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To hope is to risk pain.
To try is to risk failure, but risk must be taken
because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.”

G.K. Chesterton

Awards Assembly/Essay Contests/Moving Up Cermonies

Here in New York, schools have either just finished or are in the process of completing their school year. That means students are being recognized for their many accomplishments throughout the school year. Teachers are thinking about each child and their class as they come up with names for awards and ways to recognize students.

I keep being reminded of Angela's words:

Have engraved on your mind and heart all your dear daughters, one by one; not only their names, but also their conditions, and character, and their every situation and state. Have them depicted individually in your memory and in your heart.

Of course, Angela said daughters because she was referring to those women in her company; but I believe we can take daughters and substitute students, sisters, brothers, parishioners, or any creation that we are connected to in this world.

Respect for others and connection to others are an important part of Angela's legacy to us.

Thank you Angela, and help us share your wisdom with others.

Sr. Jeannie

Happy Pentecost!

Happy Pentecost! Today we celebrate the wonderful feast of the coming of the Holy Spirit! St. Luke gives us a dramatic picture of this event: "The Spirit came upon the apostles with a strong driving wind and with tongues as of fire." (Acts 2:2-3)


Today we celebrate the "Birthday of the Church!" The apostles were hiding behind locked doors. That was their comfort zone. And in there, they felt safe, secure and supported. Jesus appeared to them there and his first message was "Peace" and then he gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit. The apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages. The gift of the Holy Spirit transforms them then and there, from being cowards to being courageous. And we know the story; they went out to proclaiming the message of the gospel, to all people in their own language according to the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.


Since the event of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is continuously acting more actively in the world, in each believer and in the Church. The same Holy Spirit is dwelling within each one of us today, empowering us and encouraging us to get out of our comfort zones and proclaim the message of peace to all people. When you go out today just give a genuine smile to a stranger you meet along the way. This is the message of Pentecost to embrace the Holy Spirit, to open ourselves to become the temple of the Holy Spirit, where peace, love and joy reside. May peace fill our hearts, our homes and our universe.

Sr. Pat

Celebrating a wonderful life!

Today we celebrated the life of Sr. Agnes Neville formerly known as Sr. Bernadette who died peacefully on June 2nd. Agnes had a long life of 84 years and touched so many hearts along the way. She was a teacher, principal, community superior, tutor, and teacher assistant. Besides being a wise teacher throughout her career she was also known for her unique sense of humor. She loved the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins.

For the past few days at school we have shared with one another our love for and stories about Agnes. She was a truly gentle soul who touched all who came in contact with her. Agnes loved her students, her co-workers, her friends and her beloved brother Joseph. Joe was the main celebrant at her funeral today. People came from far and near to celebrate the life of this wonderful woman.

One of the most touching memories that was shared with all of us was when Agnes was told she would need to move on the Andrus Nursing Home. Her response was one that mirrored how she lived her life. She said, "Tell God, I say yes!" What an inspirational response and one that we can all take a lesson from.

Agnes, as you enjoy eternal life, look down on us and give us the encouragement we need to face the big decisions as graciously as you did. May the angels lead you into paradise and the marytrs welcome you home! We love you and we thank you!

Sr. Pat