Sr. Mary Rinaldi of their Development Office called me after receiving my letter to explain their program. Upon adopting a Sister, that Sister will pray for you, your family, or whomever you choose, as needed, along with other programs they have as well. And by adopting a Sister, she can remain with her Order throughout her retirement, forever. So, not only would I benefit from this adoption, so would my "sister." What a fabulous concept.
My adopted Sister is Sr. Gloria Machado FSM, and she lives in Tampa, Florida at the St. John Convent connected to that area's Salesian Sisters Order. We immediately began corresponding a bit, and I felt I could share anything with her, which I did. No matter what the situation in my life ~ good, bad or indifferent, Sr. Gloria wrote back talking of God's Love for all His children, reminding me to look to Him for solace and the answers I was seeking. She was right. Of course!
She also said how she would keep me in her prayers, and you know, that really made all the difference in the world to me at the time, and to this day.
The Mission of the Salesian Sisters, Priests, and Brothers is to educate the young, especially the poor. Their very title was chosen by St. John Bosco because of the esteem he had for St. Frances de Sales, and his desire that his Sisters, Priests, and Brothers imitate the kind and gentle ways of this saint.
The Salesian Sisters are celebrating their Centennial this April ~ "Celebrating Youth...Building The Future" ~ their motto for 100 years of dedicated service here in the U.S. ~ all beginning with four Sisters who arrived in the U.S. from Italy in 1908, serving the poorest of the poor, the neediest of the needy, whether in spirit or financially ~ of which I include myself at times.
They have also published a book about their work ~ "The Yes Lives On" detailing their years of faithful work. If you seek a comforting, nurturing presence in your life, I highly recommend you "adopt" a Salesian Sister ~ there is no faith requirement. A Sister who has given her life to serve others, and now who can be honored by us "serving" her.
The National InterFaith Council honors the Salesian Sisters for their loving care toward others by bestowing our "Beacon of Light" Holy Spirit Award to them this Spring. They truly are an organization that not only "renews" the spirit of others, but shines that renewing spirit each and every day with their adoptive families. We send them our most heartfelt blessings and love. Please visit them and be renewed!
www.salesiansisters.org ~ 973-904-0102/Office
