“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.”
~Desmond Tutu
St. Mary’s Home hosted its Annual Family Picnic on Saturday bringing together Residents, their families
and staff in a fun, relaxed environment. Residents were happy to introduce their children, grandchildren,
nieces, nephews and siblings to their St. Mary’s “family.” And the staff likewise enjoyed introducing their
spouses and children to the Residents.
In my position, I have many opportunities to interact with our Residents’ families and get to know them personally.
It is a wonderful privilege to see the happiness on their faces and hear the gratitude in their voices that comes from
knowing that their loved ones are well cared for. So it is very special when the rest of the staff can experience this
as well.
Although we had some showers in the morning, by the afternoon, the sky was clear and the sun was bright. The
Sisters put out a spread that included hot dogs with all the trimmings and barbeque beef sandwiches. There were
so many desserts it was hard to pick a favorite.
Looking around the auditorium, it was easy to see that everyone there felt the family spirit that was so important to
St. Jeanne Jugan.
Photos: Residents (clockwise from top left) Dolores Saracino, Betty Vaughan, Angela Nunez and Joseph McNeela are surrounded by their loved ones.
All in the Family