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BVMs and children…what is a more natural fit? Sisters at Marian Hall skilled care center experience limitations in their bodies, but service to children in need continues.
Project Moses A visit by Activities Department staff member BVM Catherine Jean Hayen to BVM Ann DeNicolo (Ann Thomas), program director for DeSoto County Catholic Charities in Florida , uncovered an urgent need. The poor families Ann serves frequently live in such crowded conditions that many persons, including infants, sleep in one bed. This results in babies dying from roll-over, suffocation from blankets or being crushed between the mattress and bed frame. Nationally, up to 900 infants a year suffer this needless death. An area nurse had a gleaned a solution from Scripture. Just as the infant Moses was saved by being placed in a basket, these little ones could be saved by a laundry basket/storage container covered to become a portable bassinette. “Project Moses” was born. Already six years old, the project has spread to many states, but was unknown at Mount Carmel until C. Jean learned of it. Sisters at Marian Hall have eagerly added this to their mission projects, outfitting the containers with a foam mattress covered with a vinyl-based cloth. Some Sisters sew lining, others crochet infant hats and booties, tie knots on quilts, insert fluffy stuffing inside dolls and soft toys, wind yarn to be used as hair for the dolls and animals. By herself, one Sister could not completely equip a bassinette, but together, small miracles happen when 20-30 Sisters come together on Mission Mondays. “I'm now totally blind, but I can feel to do this,” said ( St. ) Charlotte Greene, BVM. Adds Catherine Jean, “We all sense the importance of following Jesus' call to care for the people he identified with. When we are helping young mothers and their babies, we are showing his love in the world.”
Gifts for Iraqi Children Staff members throughout the Mount Carmel complex recently joined Sisters in another project to benefit children—this time in Iraq . Pastoral care minister Deb Doyle read of a young woman medic from the Dubuque area who has seen thousands of injured children in Iraqi hospitals—terrified, homeless and many times orphans because their parents had been killed. In one case, a young girl was brought to the hospital with shrapnel wounds to her neck and chest. She had been in the arms of her aunt when the aunt was killed. When the girl arrived at the hospital she was holding two very soiled, ragged wash cloths. Asked what these were, she responded that they were her babies. This so touched the heart of the young medic that she asked her father to send stuffed animals in lieu of a care basket to her. So dolls and other toys made by Sisters are joining contributions from staff. Boxes were placed at the time clocks and at other strategic locations around Mount Carmel . More than 825 have been collected, and the medic's father is paying the postage to ship these gifts to Iraq . The young woman finds, “These stuffed animals speak the universal language of love, compassion and caring to children who are unable to communicate because of the language barrier.” When handed one of these stuffed animals or dolls, a bond of trust is established that enables the medics to care more easily for the children. About the author: Mira Mosle, BVM is SALT editor and communications director for the BVM congregation. Return
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