Sisters
of St. Joseph and Allston/Brighton Business Leaders Celebrate Sixth Annual Fall
Luncheon
Brighton, MA: On Tuesday, October
15, 2013, Sister Rosemary Brennan, President of the Sisters of St. Joseph of
Boston, welcomed business leaders of the Brighton and Allston Communities to
the sixth annual Fall Luncheon which benefits two Brighton-Allston ministries
of the Sisters of St. Joseph. This luncheon was hosted in conjunction with Allston
Board of Trade, Brighton Board of Trade, Allston Village Main Streets, and
Brighton Main Streets. The event was attended by over seventy business
professionals, sisters, associates, co-workers, Brighton/Allston neighbors, as
well as city and state officials.
In her opening remarks, Sister Rosemary
Brennan, CSJ, explained that, “At the beginning of this month we, the Sisters
of St. Joseph, opened a year of celebration in honor our 140 years of presence
and service to the people of Boston. Serving the people of Boston has been and
continues to be a grand adventure. However we are very aware we are not in it
by ourselves. It is this relationship we celebrate today and thank each of you
for partnering with us as we continue this adventure together.”
Dorcas Vegara, the first speaker, is a
graduate of The Literacy Connection, a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Sister Pat Andrews, Director of The Literacy Connection, introduced Dorcas and
explained how much the Allston-Brighton Community has benefited by the
contributions of hundreds like Dorcas whose participation in The Literacy
Connection and The Women’s Table, both programs of the Sisters of St. Joseph,
enables women and men to be contributing members of their neighborhoods. Dorcas
went on to tell the group that, “The Literacy Connection means support for me
and many in the neighborhood. It is here I learned of my rights and
responsibilities as a citizen, have gained confidence, and have come to feel I
belong to the community.”
State Representative Kevin Honan, Master of
Ceremonies, introduced guest speaker, James T. Brett, President of the New
England Council. Brett spoke not only of his long history and deep connections
with the Sisters of St. Joseph but also of the work of the New England Council.
He spoke of how the New England Council is the Chamber of Commerce of New
England. It is about assessing the needs of New England, building
relationships, and making connections to get the job done. After he spoke,
Sister Rosemary noted the similarity with the work of the Sisters of St. Joseph
who see relationship at the heart of their mission.
At the conclusion of the luncheon the “CSJ
Community Service Award” was given to Mayor Thomas Menino, “in absentia,” for
his tireless and dedicated service to the people of Boston and in particular to
those who live in Boston’s neighborhoods. Sister Rosemary said, “As Sisters of
St. Joseph our mission is to be of service to ‘the dear neighbor without
distinction’ and Mayor Menino, throughout his tenure, has admirably witnessed
to this mission.”
###
The Sisters of St.
Joseph of Boston, a Congregation of vowed religious women and associates who
minister in the Greater Boston area and beyond. They trace their roots from LePuy, France
(1651), Lyon, France
(1807), St. Louis, MO
(1836) and arrived in Boston,
MA in 1873. They identify with
the cries of a world, stunned by violence and seek to reopen communications in
divided communities, to search for shared values, and to empower individuals to
explore common ground for the healing of humankind.
They are part of The U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph composed
of more than 4,500 members, 2,800 associates, and enjoys NGO status in the
United Nations. For more information visit www.csjboston.org
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