L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016 www.italoamericano.org 15 L'Italo-Americano LA VITA ITALIANA TRADITIONS HISTORY CULTURE Dear readers The Adopt-a-Sister program turns 25 this year and director Sr. Mary Rinaldi, FMA is coming to town to visit longtime "Adopters" in southern California and other parts of the State to celebrate this anniversary with them. Sr. Mary fondly remembers an earlier anniversary visit to California, where she met many of you at a Festa del Sacro Cuore luncheon at Casa Italiana arranged by Marie Martinelli and would be happy to meet with you or your group in Southern California or the San Francisco Bay Area, March first to ninth, time and schedules permitting. Call Sr. Rinaldi's office at 973 904 0102 for more information. *** For readers unfamiliar with the Adopt a Sister program let me run it down for you: back in 1991, the Missionary Society of Salesian Sisters, dedicated to teaching poor children, found themselves in need, Elderly nuns from the order's North Haledon, NJ branch were desperate for a new dormitory. But, how to come up with $5 million for construction? Sister Mary Rinaldi, FMA figured that bake sales would require the patience of Job (if not the flour power of Pillsbury). Instead Rinaldi, who headed up fund raising, rolled out a plan to peddle the nun's prayers. The "adopt-a Sister program, Sr. Rinaldi credits a remark by Fortunato Bosco, born in Italy but long time resident of Tampa, Florida, with being the spark that ignited her Salesian's Sister "Adopt-a-Sister which contributed significantly to the construction of the St. Joseph Provincial Center in Haledon, NJ. His remark was "Sister, we need your prayers more than you need our money". And so it was that the Saint Joseph Provincial Center was built, furnished and basic medical and retirement needs of the Salesian Sister met. Many of the retired sisters are jubilarians who have celebrated 60 years or more of religious life, with many of those early years spent serving teaching in Salesian school classrooms throughout the United States. *** Throughout the U.S.A. and Canada many folks have "adopted" Elderly salesian sisters to pray for them or their families or are adopting Sisters to pray for the Bereaved on a daily basis, in lieu of flowers. In this day and age when we have personal trainers, personal chefs, personal shoppers etc, what a great idea to have your special praying done by professionals too. For only $ 13,25 a month, ($160.00 a year) this is truly a gift that keeps on giving, long after you "adopt" a nun and receive her biography and photo. Incidentally, the Salesian Sisters are an order with an "Italian Connection". The Salesian Sisters are a Roman Catholic Order that was begun in Italy by St. John Bosco and by St. Mary Mazzarello. There are over 10,000 working in 96 countries around the world. In 1907, the first missionaries set foot in New York City to begin their work with immigrants and educating their children. Today there are 150 Salesian Sisters in the Eastern half of the United States, continuing their mission of serving the young, specially the poor, in schools, youth centers, retreat houses and summer camps in New Jersey, New York, Florida and Alabama. The title "Salesian" was chosen by St. John Bosco because of the esteem he had for St. Frances de Sales, and his desire that his Priest, Brothers and Sisters imitate the kind and gentle ways of this saint. The FMA after Salesian Sister names represent their official title in Latin: FILIIE MARIE AUXILIATRICIS. This translates, DAUGHTERS OF MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS, their formal name. *** In addition to a biography of "adopted sisters", adopters receive an excellent quarterly magazine "Partners in Giving" which enables adopters to vicariously visit the Sisters who live at St. Joseph Provincial Center and "meet" through photos and stories some of the other sisters in residence, their visitors and mini-miracles attributed to them by their "adopters". Of course there are also birthday cards, holiday notes, correspondence, phone calls and in person visits for "adopters" who care. Adopters who prefer to participate less, can just sit back, relax and be assured that twice a day, like clockwork their "adopted" sister is praying for them. *** I first began "adopting" Sisters in 1999, after reading the "adopt" a Sister story" in People Magazine. They had also been featured on a 20/20 television program in 1995. To date I have "adopted" ten Sisters, one for me, one for my "marito" four for my then unmarried daughter, one for my son-in-law, two as gifts to friends to pray for good Health. And, better than any pills I sleep better knowing that my "adopted" nuns are praying for me daily in the morning and at four in the afternoon, in case I want to join my prayer partners across the miles, pray for my intentions. *** Call or write Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco, 659 Belmont Ave, North Haledon, NJ 07508- 2397, Tel: (973) 90401102, in case you would like to "adopt" a Sister for yourself or give a birthday, baby or anniversary gift to friends or family. *** Since this is the 25 th Anniversary of the program I asked Sr. Mary Rinaldi to share with us some of the highlights and mini-miracles that have resulted from the Adopt-a-Sister program. First of all many of the pairings have grown to include letters, phone calls, visits and wonderful friendship. In some cases many friendships. After the passing of his wife, Dr. Galizio found himself very lonely in his retirement community in Florida. After seeing an ad to sponsor a Sister who would pray and communicate with him, he sent a check to adopt 100 sisters! He was thrilled to receive 100 Christmas and birthday cards each year and some times even personal visits. "It gave him life" says Sister Rinaldi. And she adds, "the program has given the nuns a new outlook. They have people to think about babies to be born, ill to get well". *** Sr. Mary says the question she has received most often in these 25 year is "So, do you get any miracles?" Her response is always the same: faith produces miracles. And yes, we have seen miracles ranging from births, cures from illnesses, and even peaceful deaths. The most powerful messages are in the real life experiences that she has witnessed as the Adopt-a-Sister program has grown over these 25 years: *** Mr Fox was given six months to live. Ten years later, he thanked his adopted Sister Rosalie for her continued prayers for his health. *** Betty Toner asked for prayers for her daughter-in-law who was having issues carrying a pregnancy to full term. I assigned Sr. Claire Perino, who assured her that God hears prayers. In fact she wrote, "Yes I will pray Julie but be careful because sometimes we ask God for an apple and He wants to give us the orchard." Nine month later, Julie delivered quadruplets on Father's Day. *** Irena Medavoy said at a women's luncheon in Beverly Hills "we know where to find the latest handbags, shoes, perfumes; however, I have found something not found in stores." It was this example of faith and the power of prayer stemming from Irena that grabbed the attention of every woman in the room and brought them into program. Irena continues to support the program and its strength of prayer. *** Joseph Hagan was a very frugal recluse from New Jersey who was truly beloved by all the Sisters. What began as a weekly visit for a magazine swap and a pot of soup ended with Mr. Hagan donating $1 million dollars to build a chapel in the newly build retirement home to ensure the Sisters would continue to pray for him and his family long after he was gone. Joseph chose the 15 th of each month as the date in which the Mass would be dedicated for him and his family. As the saints would have it, Joseph passed on September 15 th . *** Grazie a Dio, 25 years and completely renovated retirement home later, the program is still going strong. The Sisters enjoy being connected to their new family of adopters. It is on this momentous occasion of the 25 th anniversary that Sr. Rinaldi invites one and all to adopt a Sister and build a relationship with a Salesian Sister of your own.

• Cover