Did you know the superior, Sister Andrea?
Is this her? There’s quite a few photographs but if you scroll down there are two of her, with the caption Sr. Andrea underneath:
motherteresa.org/07_family/Volunteering/Ph_v.html
I looked her up, to see if she was the same Sr. Andrea that I vaguely remember. I think it is, though I was very young when she was the superior. Any memories I have of her are very vague, and mixed up with what my mother said about her. When I was an “older” kid, there was an Indian nun who was the superior, her name escapes me at the moment. But my mother definitely knew a Sr. Andrea!
We used to bring homegrown produce from our farm in NH.
So you would have been one of those trucks to come and unload produce! I remember those trucks and vans. There was kind of a gate thingie that the Sisters opened so the vans could pull up, and the Sisters would help unload the produce and take it through the yard into the shelter. Sometimes I was hanging out on the street and/or being a pest… I remember being told by the Sisters more than once to go home and go to bed lol. It was usually in the evening as I recall… when the vans came.
The South Bronx was like a war zone back then. I can’t imagine how you could grow up there and end up with a PhD. Angels protected you. For a reason.
In retrospect yes it was a pretty scary neighborhood, and though it has improved since the 70s its still one of the poorest neighborhoods in America, crime and drug use and so on. At the time though, I didn’t know any better or different, just seemed normal to me. There were a few besides me who “escaped” the neighborhood but lots of classmates of mine are now dead or in prison. Many joined gangs of course so that was a big factor. The last time I was in Manhattan, about 3 years ago, I saw a man on the street who was a classmate of mine, up until about grade 5. He was very dirty and disshevelled looking and I assume a homeless person. I approached him and said who I was but I don’t think he remembered me because he just kept asking for spare change. Eventually I gave him some money and he left. I was sickened, he was such a cute funny kid back in school.
That time in Manhattan 3 years ago, I also had an urge to visit the Sisters in the Bronx, but I couldn’t find a cab willing to take me there!! And I only had a limited time frame so I had to give up…
Part of the reason I was “saved” too I think was, I left the borough when I was 12. The school that priest sent me to was in a much better area, and I’ve not been back to the Bronx since. Really, that priest saved my life, probably quite literally. I wish I could remember his name because I would like to write to him if he’s still alive. I’ve considered contacting the Sisters at my school to see if they know.
My brother in-law also has a similar story. He got a free education at Cardinal Hayes school for boys and ended up very wealthy. Today he is paying it back a thousand times over, supporting Salesian schools for girls and his alma mater. He will do just about anytihng to keep kids in Catholic schools.
Yes, I have that sentiment. I feel so grateful to them and I’ve also sent money to my school, in fact after graduate school and getting my first great job, I sent anonymous donations to the school, totalling the amount of what my tuition would have been. I continue to donate money to them. Not sure why I’m choosing to remain anonymous but so far I have.
Mother Theresa prays for you still, but there is one futher thing to be aware of. You can direct your own prayer intentions to her and she will join you in them. She will pray for your friend and her soul if you aske her.
Wow… okay! That’s great!!
I was wondering that, but because she’s not canonized yet I wasn’t sure. I was going to ask the priest but thanks for letting me know.
I revere them. Do you know how in American celebrity culture people put actors and actresses or sports figures or rock musicians on pedestals? I don’t get it. There is nothing admirable about any of them. Those nuns are my real life heroes. The bring the love of God directly into the lives of the most wounded and broken. I would do anything for them.
I know what you mean… I feel the same way about them, always have, though I’ve kept it to myself mostly. Also the priest and the Sisters from my school… all those people were wonderful. One of my friends from school, my best friend in highschool actually, became a nun herself, a Daughter of St. Paul. I’ve kind of lost touch with her now, I sent her a card when she took her perpetual vows a couple of years ago, but we haven’t really been in touch since… she was going to Rome last I heard, and she might still be there, not sure. We were really close friends though, best friends, and now I’m wondering if maybe I shouldn’t track her down and tell her what’s going on.
