Monthly Archives: June 2015

Up Close & Personal

This post provides a close up of one example of the actions undertaken locally every day by the HVM Sisters in Detroit.  These young ladies are sometimes referred to a “retired” but that is a semantic mistake.  There’s nothing retired about how they use their days … they devote their energies to the same mission and principles that have guided their action choices for a lifetime – reaching out to the marginalized, serving others, and being witness to universal love.

Sr. Fiorentina D’Amore HVM volunteers every Tuesday and Saturday to work at the St. Christine Kitchen and Food Pantry, both on Fenkell Rd. in Detroit.  The Kitchen and Pantry assist the most vulnerable local residents with hot lunches and bags of groceries.  They operate as part of St. Christine Christian Services (SCCS) under the sponsorship of Christ the King Catholic Church parish, Detroit.  Deep respect and dignity for their clients is a central part of the SCCS  mission.

Sr. Fiorentina and David Brauer Director of St. Christine Kitchen

Sr. Fiorentina and David Brauer Director of St. Christine Kitchen

Kitchen opens at 2 pm

Kitchen opens at 2 pm

Sister Fiorentina’s Italian heritage is well utilized at the Kitchen.  Her knowledge of vegetables is vast and she is an incredible cook.  She is known for teaching the clients at St. Christine about healthy food choices and how best prepare them.  Mama Mia!      St. Christine is most grateful for Sr. Fiorentina’s commitment to serve those in need.

Line up in kitchen

Line up in kitchen

Family at table

Family at table

Pantry staff volunteers:  Tina Marie, Maureen, Barbara, Sr. Fiorentina, Virginia

Pantry staff volunteers: Tina Marie, Maureen, Barbara, Sr. Fiorentina, Virginia

Sr. Fiorentina entering Pantry

Sr. Fiorentina entering Pantry

Bags all packed and ready with canned goods

Bags all packed and ready with canned goods

Mother children and grand children

Mother children and grand children

In addition to her organizing and hard physical labor, Sr. Fiorentina reaches out to individually every person to ensure a personal encounter – a personal presence of unconditional love and kindness.  This reaching out in a personal encounter is the HVM way.

Sr. Fiorentina with guest at door

Sr. Fiorentina with guest at door

Lady with volunteer

Lady with volunteer

Last items in basket

Last items in basket

Packing meat fresh fruits and vegetables

Packing meat fresh fruits and vegetables

Selecting food items

Selecting food items

Sr. Fiorentina and guest

Sr. Fiorentina and guest

 

Face Time with Srs. Barbara and Elizabeth

More that 30 people took advantage of the rare opportunity for face-face-time with Srs. Barbara Dakoske and Elizabeth Harris while they were visiting from Nigeria, attending a tea at the SHVM convent on May 31, 2105.   Wonderful food and desert items were followed by an interesting PowerPoint presentation on current SHVM endeavors in Nigeria.  Photos from the PowerPoint will be shown here in the future.

1 Akua Budu-Watkins

Akua Budu-Watkins with her wonderful deserts

Nancy Brown

Nancy Brown

Sr. Elizabeth with Akua Budu-Watkins

Sr. Elizabeth with Akua Budu-Watkins

Sr. Elizabeth, Kaitlyn Clark, Sr. Barbara

Sr. Elizabeth, Kaitlyn Clark, Sr. Barbara

Sr. Barbara showing PowerPoint

Sr. Barbara showing PowerPoint

Audience members

Audience members

Oscar and Vivian Gulley

Oscar and Vivian Gulley

Melissa Belevender watching up close

Melissa Belevender watching up close

Howard Weathington with Donald and Barbara Carter

Howard Weathington with Donald and Barbara Carter

Kathy Wendt,  Sr. Barbara Dakoske, Suzanne Lareau

Kathy Wendt Sr. Barbara Dakoske Suzanne Lareau

Margaret Ehiemere and Sr. Chioma

Margaret Ehiemere and Sr. Chioma

Samuel Onyene and Rene Bascomb

Samuel Onyene and Rene Bascomb

 Srs. Rosemarie, Mary Frances, Elizabeth

Srs. Rosemarie, Mary Frances, Elizabeth

Sr. Barbara and Thelma Wilson

Sr. Barbara and Thelma Wilson

Kaitlyn Clark,  Janet Saponaro, Thelma Wilson

Kaitlyn Clark, Janet Saponaro, Thelma Wilson

Proud gramma and granddaughter

Proud gramma and granddaughter