On May 1,the Association Jeanne Jugan (AJJ) gathered together to celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, we were very pleased to have Bishop Piche with us as the celebrant for the Mass. Fifteen of the AJJ members attended the Mass and remade their promises for another year. It was beautiful to see all of them proudly standing together to recite their promises.
In his homily, Bishop Piche drew on St. Joseph as a worker. He spoke of how hard he worked and cared for Jesus as a child. “When we think of St. Joseph the worker,” he said, “we have to think of the tools he used. On this day we should actually bring those tools to the Mass for a blessing. However, we have tools with us all the time,” and he extended his hands. “These hands and your hands are the tools with which we work in caring for and loving those around us. But I will go even further regarding another tool we have with us all the time – the heart. It is with and through this heart that God has given us that we are able to be so very caring and loving to others.” It was not a particularly long homily, but one that made us sit up and take note. We do use our hands and our hearts each day in caring for and loving our dear Residents; how nice to be reminded.
Because we couldn’t bring in the actual tools used throughout the building at this late date, Mother Maria Francis asked Bishop if he would be willing to bless our work shop. So, after Mass Mother and Bishop went off to bless the maintenance shop, the 2 maintenance men who were working, the boiler room and the just completed roof over the apartment building. We agreed, that next year, we will remember to take the tools into the chapel for the blessing.
Following the blessings all gathered in the Atrium for a most delicious meal prepared by our kitchen staff. Bishop Piche led us in prayer and then we all took in the beauty of the decorated room and the delicious meal. “Hats off to our chef,” one of the AJJ members announced; “this is a very exceptional meal.”
Promises for AJJ