Dear Friends,

I am sure you can name several favorite summer moments…a walk on the beach, vacationing with your family, the sound of the ice cream truck in your neighborhood, or the laughter of children running through the sprinkler.  Most of mine revolve around my 10 year old and 7 year old daughters. 

There are so many wonderful moments!

Summer at the Motherhouse is no different – just on a larger scale.  The “Spirit of Dominic” van has been kept busy over the years, not only with taking Sisters back and forth to doctors’ appointments but with more memorable excursions filled with sunshine, relaxation and laughter.

Past summers have seen trips to places as near as Captree Boat Basin or as distant as Montauk.  This year’s 4th of July “Cook Out, Dine In” was a fun event. The food was barbequed just outside the Motherhouse building and then served to the Sisters in the comfort of the dining room.  A DJ, dancing and games added to the festivities. Venetian Shores in Lindenhurst, a waterfront “resort” with picnic and entertainment areas, is a favorite place for the Sisters. 

Activities abound at the Motherhouse since many of our Sisters in Carlin Hall can’t travel.  A trip to the pool next the grotto is a favorite outing.  The Sisters also enjoy “Lands of Amityville,” a tour around the Motherhouse grounds that includes interesting and historic sites. This is a local twist on a journey called the “Lands of Dominic,” a tour of the European cities that were prevalent in the life of St. Dominic.

Staff and volunteers are very creative when it comes to planning events for the Sisters.  An ice cream truck visits the Motherhouse at least once a month.  Miss Senior America, a traveling show, will be making an appearance soon.  And, a back to school fashion show featuring elementary, high school and college students will involve the Sisters in an Alzheimer Association pre-walk event.  The days are filled with health talks, pet visits, drumming circles, Tai chi lessons, musical shows and dog shows.  Staff from Sophia Garden, our community garden, visit with the Sisters and share the fruits of the harvest.  We’ve even had a visit from the LI Ducks!

It is through the generous support of donors like you that we have been able to provide our Sisters with these memorable moments year after year.  Each is a joy to plan and, with your continued help, we will keep our Sisters active throughout the next several months.  S. Bernadette DeMayo and Carol Hartmann, along with a crew of dedicated volunteers and staff members, are the angels that help make it happen so that our beloved retired Sisters enjoy the lazy, hazy days of summer.

Whatever the size of your gift, please know it is greatly appreciated and goes to good use.  These Sisters spent their lives bringing joy and hope into the lives of thousands.  Now you will help bring laughter and joy filled memories into their lives.

As always, you and your loved ones are fondly remembered in daily prayer by all of our Sisters.

…and the preaching continues.

Gratefully,

Patricia Chambers Daly