Fall 2006, Volume 49, Number 3

Mount Loretto & Beyond

In Loving Memory: On August 26, 2006, family and friends of Sister Patrick Waldorf joined the Sisters of the Presentation for a blessing of a memorial bench donated by Sister Patrick’s family in her honor. Many were present to share their memories of Sister Patrick. Pictured is Sister Maureen Patrice Fury, BVM, Sister Patrick’s niece.

Making Music: Sister Mary Hermann Platt and her sister, Rose Sprout, say that music was a bond in their family as long as they can remember. All of their siblings either sang and/or played an instrument. Under the tutelage of Sisters Mary Anita Boland and Matthew Cunningham at St. Cecelia Academy, Sister Hermann and Rose learned the fine points of string music and participated in the school orchestra.

Just recently, they decided to revive their talents for their own enjoyment. This led to a desire to give back to God what He had given, and now they occasionally volunteer to play at their parish liturgies.

Solidarity Mission Offers Many Blessings
Sister Diana Blong and eleven other members of the El Salvador Solidarity Mission Team arrived back in Marshalltown, IA, on Thursday, June 15, after an 8-day experience of blessing and sharing in the reality of the people in this impoverished Central American country. The combined efforts of the parishes of St. Mary, St. Henry, Immaculate Conception and Trinity Lutheran bore fruit, especially to those most in need in the Berlin area, located about 2 hours from the capital city, San Salvador.

Months of research and planning resulted in a rich and varied mission trip for the missionaries. Understanding the political, economic and cultural history through the eyes of local people added a new perspective to the struggle and suffering during the years of oppression, which continues to impact life there today. The sacrifices and deaths of Salvadoran martyrs, especially Archbishop Oscar Romero, who spoke for the needs of the poor, continue to inspire hope and courage among the people.

The generous donations and gifts of money that were carried with the group from Marshalltown offered further joy and hope to many, including three marginalized elementary schools. Students in a secondary school, clinics, a women’s prison, poor farmers in outlying cantons, and many poor and elderly seeking help through the pastoral centers in both Berlin and the slums of San Salvador were blessed through this mission.

The children of Berlin, El Salvador, were readily entertained by simple toys, including this donated frisbee that Sister Diana shared with them.