Maura Hobart DC posted the following on Facebook… “Today the parish of St. John the Baptist, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn said farewell to the Daughters of Charity who will be leaving the ministry there soon. Packed church, wonderful seeing old friends, and saying goodbye was sad. Over to the Sisters’ house for lunch afterward where we told stories — “Only at St. John’s” — and made a list of all the Sisters and priests who have been part of 75 Lewis Avenue over these 41 years – amazing. So much history in that place, a big part of my life for 15 years. A privilege to have been part of that history and those stories.
Please feel free to add your comments/recollections of the work of the Daughters here.
St. John’s, 75 Lewis Avenue, is full of Vincentian/DC history and hilarious stories as well. At the farewell celebration, we all said the same thing: it was a big challenge living in that big old building–no heat, no hot water, critters roaming about, safety issues, car vandalism, falling plaster, leaking pipes etc.–but we all loved being there with the people and being part of a collaborative Vincentian mission. 75 Lewis produced some saints as well: Steve Strouse, Vinnie Trunk, Mary Rose McGeady, Bernie Sczmczak and lots more I am sure. If anyone would like to see the list of all we could remember from 1972 forward, just let me know — it’s a veritable treasure, and I’m sure we’ve missed people. Farewell, 75 Lewis–if those walls could talk….
Somehow just came across this news. What a terrible sadness to me as I have never forgotten the times I spent there and this past January was at a food justice workshop and was talking about Sister Bernadette, once called, Gentle Mother by one of the women who came to her for help.
In addition to the beautiful saints you mentioned, Maura, I remember dear Sister Mary Lawrence. I still pray to her. And who can forget the snowflakes plastered everywhere by one of the Daughters, as every one is unique. Or Aunt Bea? Or Pookey the dog. or having my car battery stolen one evening. And the summer program trips with the kids to the Staten Island Ferry….
Much of the person I am today was formed by the Vincentians at St. John’s and the Daughters at St. John’s, Lewis Ave. The love and goodness that was there will live forever. Farewell.
Thank you for those kind words regarding Vinnie Trunk (relation). Sorry to see the church close. Heard many nice stories about trips taken with the parish.