A Newsletter from the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, New Windsor, NY Spring 2020 “Not Words But Deeds” in a Pand e mi c Table of Contents Letter from Leadership 2 “Not Words But Deeds” in a Pandemic 3 In the Spotlight 5 Celebrating our Jubilarians 6 In Memoriam 7 Mission Statement 8 Prayer Association 8 “I am close with prayers to people sufgering from the current coronavirus epidemic and to all those who care for them.” “In the present situation, in which we fjnd ourselves living more or less isolated, we are invited to rediscover and deepen the value of the communion that unites all the members of the church.” “United to Christ we are never alone, we form one body, of which he is the head. It is a union that is nourished with prayer, and also with spiritual communion in the Eucharist, a practice that is much recommended when it is not possible to receive the sacrament. I say this to everyone, and especially to those living alone.” ~Pope Francis SISTERS OF THE PRESENTATON 1
A Le tt e r fr o m Le ad e r s hip Spring, 2020 Dear Friends, Immaculée Ilibagiza, a 24-year- old woman hid in a tiny bathroom with seven other women for 91 days to escape Presentation News is a the 1994 genocide in Rwanda Semi-annual publication of the that killed her entire family Sisters of the Presentation of the except one brother who was Blessed Virgin Mary. Published by the Office of Mission Advancement studying out of the country at the in the Spring and Fall. time. She said she never felt Sara Gunn, safe but she was at peace Director of Mission Advancement because of her constant Email: recitation of the rosary. We can sgunn@sistersofthepresentation.org Justin Perez, Ass ssistan ant draw that same strength from the rosary and our faith during this Email: pandemic. Jperez@sistersofthepresentation.org Included in this issue are the reflections, prayers and actions that Leadership Council: some of our Sisters have undertaken during this most difficult of Sr. Patricia Anastasio, PBVM, times. The Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary President have always relied on prayer, especially the rosary, to maintain our Sr. Martha Otterstedt, PBVM Vice President peace. Sr. Mary Byrnes, PBVM, Councilor Sr. Barbara King, PBVM, Councilor Venerable Nano Nagle, who founded the Presentation Sisters in 1775 lived in a time of great peril including starvation and disease. PBVM Presentation Prayer Yet, she lit her lantern and went deep into the night to visit and help Association: those who needed it wherever she found them. In the midst of all of Sr. Hannah Cox, PBVM that darkness, she started schools so children would have a better New Windsor, NY future. She was a person whose peace came from her faith and 845-567-0204 x 123 prayer in spite of the terrible time in which she lived. Sr. Brian Elizabeth, PBVM Leominster, MA We are praying for you, your loved ones, and our world during this 978-537-7108 defining moment in history. We are so grateful to you for all of your support throughout the years to the Sisters of the Presentation who Sisters of the Presentation strive always to follow in the footsteps of Jesus through Nano’s Administration Office: example. We wish you the peace that only God can give us! 84 Presentation Way New Windsor, NY 12553 In God’s peace, Tel: 845-567-0513 Sr. Patricia Anastasio PBVM President 2 SISTERS OF THE PRESENTATON
“Not Words But Deeds” in a Pand e mi c “Social alone. Finally, I called the elderly I am Sr. Eleanor Solidarity” from my parish. Joyce, Teacher Sr. Chris Leigey, My conversations were wonderful at Nora Cronin and uplifting. I spoke to Sisters I Presentation All of us have didn’t know that well. In my youth, Academy. had events in our I was never sent to NYC or the life when the Bronx houses in the large Due to COVID- pause button has convents to minister. I have 19 school has been pushed for us. I am ministered in NJ since 1970. I been closed since March 16th. reminded of the death of my heard people who were very much We have been doing online long brother Mark in 1975 at age 33 burdened and were relieved that distance instruction and learning with a 5-year-old at home. I think someone called to talk to them. via Google Classroom and Gmail. of being diagnosed with cancer in 1992 and my subsequent I heard stories of people truly We begin each day with Google recovery. I remember the death worried and afraid. I listened to Homeroom in which I greet the 5 th of my brother Peter on a Monday many who were learning how to graders and ask that they respond and my brother Brendan on a be innovative. Often, there were with a simple greeting. This is for Thursday of the same week in people who simply needed me to the purpose of attendance. I then 1995. One was on the East Coast pray with them. My phone send religion assignments to and one on the West coast. And, ministry has been a blessing to grades 5-8 and math to grades 5 of course, the terrorist attacks on me. and 6 requesting answers. September 11, 2001 caused all of Classes run from 9 to 3. This has us to pause. The current COVID- During this dark time, I have been been a challenge for our students 19 brought news that my nephew given extra time for prayer and and teachers and yet a learning John is fighting the virus which spiritual nourishment. I have been experience for all of us. caused me to pause once again. listening to the Creighton University online ministries. I can I miss my girls and seeing their A plane takes into the wind to make a retreat and not have to smiling and inquisitive faces. I can build resistance so that it can pay for it! I do this sometimes at only hope that we will get back to stabilize. five-thirty in the morning in my school in as reasonable a time as I watched TV for hours and hours. pajamas and the Lord loves it! possible. I pray God’s blessing on Was that my way to stabilize? them and their families, my What service was being asked of This has been a time to ponder colleagues and all of us impacted me at this time? I woke up one the many gifts given to me: by this pandemic. morning knowing what I could do. ● From God I began to think about how to get ● From my parents around this social distancing. ● From sisters in my community What about social solidarity? I ● From the many ministries, I am can do that! involved in. So my phone ministry began. I Bridges are built to places hard to called all of our Sisters in the get to! Let us continue to build nursing home. I was received with social solidarity during this time of surprise, delight, and gratitude. I social distancing knowing I AM called all the Sisters who live with you. SISTERS OF THE PRESENTATON 3
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