Hope Community Welcomes Sister Mariapia Iammarino
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On a quiet, late afternoon, November 15, Hope Community—Sr. Bernadette Sullivan, Sr. Marilyn Fischer, Sr. Theresa Calviello, Sr. Grace Frances Strauber, and Associate Thomasina Nolan—gathered for conversation, early dinner and for a prayerful welcome to Sr. Mariapia.
As we gathered, we shared experiences of the previous days. Sr. Marilyn and Thomasina joined in while preparing the delicious supper. We enjoyed one another’s company and stories went back and forth in English and Italian. There was much laughter at our exchange in understanding each other. Sr. Mariapia was a real “trooper” and we all laughed and struggled with the help of Sr. Bernadette, who acted as interpretet and who got it all together! Sr. Mariapia is studying English and did remarkably well.
After supper we sat around in a circle as we began our prayer. The musical introduction to our opening hymn put us in a quiet and peaceful moment. “Gathered in the Love of Christ” began with:
We are one in the family of God.
We are the dwelling place that Love has made.
We are formed to be goodness and light in the world…see what love our God has shown us, to call us the children of God, and as God has loved us, so we must love each other, ever-following the way of truth and life.
[from Songs of Silence by Marty Haugen]
Then we each told our story so that Mariapia would know us and we would come to know her and welcome her lovingly to Hope Community. Sr. Marilyn presented each of us with a beautifully printed form with our 2009/2010 Community Goals.
It was beautiful; we each shared a little bit of ourselves and learned something new about each other. After hugs and tears, we said a prayer of Welcome—each sharing alternately lines of the following prayer:
“May you find friendship has moved right in with you making every moment happy, adding joy to everyday…loving hearts and warm friendly smiles…and faith that’s warm and true…
Accept our loving and warm welcome. May this experience be enriching for all of us together, building true community.”
Then together we extended a blessing from our new Office Book: “Everywhere and in each place, and in every season and each day, may we have a true and humble faith. Amen.”
What a lovely afternoon! There was so much joy and friendship. Sister Mariapia is a wonderful addition to Hope Community. We are delighted she has joined us, and we believe she is happy too.
- Sisters Bernadette, Marilyn, Therese, Grace Frances, and Associate Thomasina