We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.
~Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Sister Margaret Glick and Sister Judith Ring have done it again – created a welcoming haven where love brings everyone together. Sisters, staff, associates, volunteers and friends come from all corners of Villa Assumpta to socialize and sift through strands of beads, sparkling pins, pearls, bracelets, jewelry boxes and tables full of other frippery and baubles and St. Valentine’s Day treasures.
The much-anticipated annual Villa Assumpta jewelry sale provides a wonderful place to connect with one another, purchase special items for family and friends and support the School Sisters of Notre Dame. “We get all sorts of things donated from all over,” said Sister Judith. “People buy things for birthdays and holidays. It’s truly a win-win arrangement for everyone.”
“It is the largest event the gift shop hosts,” explains Sister Margaret Glick, who is busy tallying up purchases. The four-day sale can bring upwards of $2000, which is then funneled back through SSND to support its mission and ministries. One sister came to the sale with her caregivers and invited them to choose an adornment of their liking as a small token of her appreciation for them. Another staff member brought up several bracelets for the friends she works with, and also pointed out a silver charm bracelet with elephants she found for her friend’s daughter, who loves them. Two other staff members, who had gone through the Caroline Center program, an education and workforce development center sponsored by SSND, were thrilled with their findings and expressed their gratitude for being able to purchase and own such beautiful items.
After carefully selecting an assortment of lockets, a bracelet and a lavalier, another visitor gave her name to Sister Margaret to add to the I.O.U. tab – a courtesy Sister Margaret extends to all of her customers. Upon hearing the name, Sister Margaret’s face lit up and her smile grew wide - she immediately recognized this volunteer – their mothers, the “two Helens,” had shared a room at a health care facility in Baltimore some decades earlier. “What a nice time to think about my mom,” Annette said as she left, and added that she couldn’t wait to tell her brother who she saw! Sister Margaret was delighted with the chance encounter and said she could never forget such a kind and compassionate person. “If she brought something in for her mother, she also brought something for my mother. She wrote a beautiful poem… The kindness she showed my mother meant so much to me.” Click here for additional photos
