Our Love is the story two Nuns

 Our love is the story of two Nuns

Last Tuesday we visited Sister Rosemary O’Brien ( Sisters of Charity) at  Covent Station, NJ.  Our love is the story of two Nuns. Carolyn was living in Fort Lee NJ far from Ireland. She met Sister Rosemary at Mass, Sister invited her for tea. Sister asked her if she could help with the Sunday School, and so it was their friendship began.  It was exactly what Carolyn needed - being so far from home. A few months later she suggested a retreat for young people. 

Meanwhile in Jersey City at Saint Michael’s, I was volunteering for Sister Antonella Chunka ( Franciscan Sister) at The Promise, a program helping young juveniles turn away from gang life. I loved this volunteer work. I could have easily been one of these young men just a decade before. There but for the Grace of God as my Mom used to say. I was working in Jersey City at Mt Carmel Guild, as a counselor for Catholic Charities at the time. Sister Antonelle tracked down one of their vans, and asked me if I would take 15 of these young men on a Retreat for young people. Of course I said yes, paid my own way so that another young man could go. Where I grew up,  no Irish Catholic kid would not do whatever was asked by the church... Besides Mom loved bragging about her son helping out at church - to the ladies in the neighborhood. 

And so it was… Two Nuns sent two young people on a Search for God Retreat in February 1984, and it was there we found each other. We were different from our peers, who had grown too cool for church, we attended mass. Another Bragging point for my Momma with her Rosary friends.

In the Fall we will visit Sister Antonelle. These visits remind us that we are blessed by faith and love. The prayers of two nuns for two young people have carried our love for nearly 42 years. In two weeks time, July 14th we will celebrate our 41st wedding anniversary💕

Two nuns praying for us 41 years ago… made all the difference.  Back then my work was helping young Juveniles turn away from Gang life. I would come to understand that their expereinces in school played a significant role in their choices. I would find my way into teaching reading, first to students, and then to teachers. I could not change their home lives, but I could open new doors via books. My youth ministry with Sister Antonelle sparked a life of work with children and teachers. In many ways I never left youth Ministry of The Promise.  7 days before our 41 first Anniversary, we remember Sister Rose and Sister Antonelle. God work in mysterious way, we went looking for God, and found each other. 

If you like to listen to the tune that inspire my morning walk today it is "Here I am Lord" 
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnO5B_G505w <