Moments at Marydell

Written February, 2009 by Sr. Virginia

Since the last Newsletter, there is news to share about Marydell Faith & Life Center, some a little sad and most of it good. 

The sad…Marge Miller and Sr. Marie de Lourdes are now responding to other needs and are no longer at Marydell Faith and Life Center.  Both have offered their gifts and talents, which continue to foster ongoing life here at Marydell. To our advantage Sister

Marie continues to be on call and helpful as Administrator.

In May of 2008 Sisters Virginia Johnson and Eileen O’Farrell assumed the role of Directors of the Center.  Ms. Noreen Brady continues to be our most welcoming and skilled Administrative Assistant.

As in the past, we host a number of day camps in July and August.  The agencies that bring the children service mainly low income and inner city children. Of course the two favorite activities of the children are the swimming pool and cookouts. When the summer ends the little feet pounding the ground, their songs and laughter are missed and stillness sets in at Marydell.  But here it is February and schedules are in process for the summer of 2009. The day camps will continue.

The children participating in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program compensate for these missed sounds. The Good Shepherd program meets weekly from October through June. What many of us once knew as “Ogeechee” cabin for the younger Marydell campers is now a beautiful and state of the art Atrium.  It is solely for the use of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. It is quite a wonder to see a log cabin with inside walls of white, neatly carpeted and Montessori type furniture and religious projects surrounding the room.  It is truly one more of Marydell’s “sacred spaces.”  After their session, weather permitting, the children usually have a little time to spend in the playground and once again there is childish laughter and the sound of little feet.  Such a joyous noise!

Although Marydell no longer hosts large overnight groups, a number of schools and agency groups use our facilities for in- service workshops, retreat days or prayer and study.  Many groups are from parishes preparing candidates for Confirmation. Our most faithful and long-standing group is the “Sunday-to-Sunday” Bible study group of men and women.  It is now in the fourteenth year since Sr. Alix started “Sunday-to-Sunday” in 1995. The group may be found every Tuesday morning in Kateri Lodge.

Of course, we still host persons wanting quiet and time for retreat in the Robert Kane hermitage, the small house behind the Marydell chapel.   It is a sign of wisdom when a person gives himself or herself “time out” to be alone with God.

Sr. Lorraine continues to do pastoral counseling and uses the building known as the “cottage.”  For older Marydellians this would have been known as the “cook’s cottage.” Christine Phelan uses St. Gabriel’s for addiction counseling.  Both therapists see clients by appointment. This ministry of listening and being with people in need is truly a healing grace for their clients.

Centering Prayer has moved to Visitation House for weekly prayer meetings.  Visitation House Convent is just a few feet down the road from the Center and is considered part of Marydell.  Centering Prayer is a prayer of silence and listening, surrendering oneself to the God of love.  All are welcome at Visitation House,

In May of 2008 the Sisters of Christian Doctrine collaborated with the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill by inviting them to share our Marydell space for a very successful English language program, which the Dominicans sponsor.  Their program is called One 2 One Learning and can be found on the website: One 2 One learning.org.  Sr. Cecilia La Pietra, OP is the executive Director and foundress of the program that has been in operation for 17 years. One 2 One uses St. Michael’s cabin for its administration building and Minnihaha, Tekagwitha, Mondomin and Wawataysee for classes.  Owaissa is used for

Childcare during the class sessions.  The classes are held two nights a week and also provide Computer and GED training.  There are nearly 200 participants.  It is encouraging for us to see so many adult immigrants eager to master the English language and improve their life situation. In addition to their work here at Marydell, there are also a number of other out-reach places in which the One 2 One. Ministry is carried on. We, Sisters of Christian Doctrine, are joyful that the ministry to immigrants, a work upon which our Congregation was founded in 1910 in New York City, continues to serve a population with the same needs today.

In October of this year, we did have a very successful and busy garage sale in the dining hall. We even let go some of the old Marydell tables and the camp dishes.  Another sale is being planned in the not too distant future.

A program that has taken root at Marydell is our annual Tree of Peace and Light.  This tree stands next to the Reflection Center and is illuminated with hundreds of lights.  Each light represents deceased or living family members, friends, co-workers or neighbors who have touched lives in a special way. The goal of this Tree is to be a silent beacon and presence that speaks of peace...that peace that comes from Jesus, the Light of the world. The tree is lit every night from early December until January 6. 

Hopefully this short writing brings you up to date on happenings at Marydell Faith and Life Center.  You are most welcome to connect with us in any way you can, if not in person, please do so by prayer.  Prayer is the power behind all that is and that happens here at Marydell.