BVM Associate Reflections

Lori Ritz - Commitment Ceremony

Lori Ritz says a few words at her BVM Assoicate Commitment Ceremony in Phoenix, Ariz. Lori is an Elementary School Principal and a former BVM sister. View this short video: http://www.bvmcong.org/downloads/LoriRitz_Associate.wmv

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Joan Mirabal's Recent Trip to Ecuador
Joan Mirabal, Associate, Member of ACC

Thoughts About My Trip To Ecuador  Joan Mirabal

The Working Boys Center (Centro del Muchacho Trabajador)

What impressed me about this center was the passion of the two BVM’s, Madre Miguel Conway and Madre Cindy Sullivan as they are affectionately called in that environment.
Working with Jesuit, Father John Halligan, they make an extraordinary team.  Together they have created a program that empowers young men and women to have a better  of life through job training and learning life skills. The education takes place in real life situations.  God becomes a part of these young people’s every day experience, not just in the worship at Mass.

This “extraordinarily well oiled machine” has provided great success in developing competent young men and women who fit into society as well as give back to the community through their work and leadership skills.  This Center is a Community of workers, made up of staff and volunteers who have every bit as much commitment as the ordained and religious.  Perhaps this is the forerunner of what religious life could become.  Seeing this Center in operation gave me the opportunity to see that the staff view Christ in the Ecuadorian people they work with.

Nuevo Mundo School   Guayaquil

This is an unbelievable school created by two BVM Associates, Pat McTeague and Sonia Rendon.    The morning school teaches the wealthy students who support the lower income students that attend in the afternoon.  Pat and Sonia had a dream that has come to fruition over many years.  They and the staff of the school give equally to each group of students because they see Christ in each one of the students.  This school exemplifies the best in education through hard work, team work, and outstanding educational achievement.  It is definitely what one could call “A Blue Ribbon School.”

Damien House
Ann Credidio has set up a joyous atmosphere in Damien House.  The patients who have had Hanson’s Disease which is no longer contagious greeted our group with gifts.  In Damien House the workers are happy and the patients are pleased to be in this environment.  This is a testament to the hard work of many, and especially Sister Ann Credidio who gives of herself.

Yachay Wasi
I did not get to see this school but my time with Sister Luann Brown, BVM revealed that she is a loving, giving, and gracious spirit filled woman.  She not only works in a school, but provides a Discernment Group to help young Ecuadorian men and women in decision making in whether to make a religious commitment to serve God in their work.  Christ is present in this Discernment Group as each one struggles to overcome obstacles to seek a vocation to the priesthood or to religious life.

Present in each sacred place is a dedication to the work of Christ which when one experiences being there meeting and interacting with these BVM’s and Associates will spread to the observer group.  The Associates traveling to Ecuador will come to a realization of what commitment means.

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