Every year our employees are invited to choose one of their co-workers who exemplifies the spirit of St. Jeanne Jugan. It’s an exciting time for them to recall all Jeanne Jugan was and did, her spirit, love, care and integrity with which she served the needy Elderly giving them dignity. It’s not as easy as it may appear because there are so many deserving of this great award.
Our employees this year chose Ms. Laura Gordon, a familiar face to everyone at Sacred Heart Residence for the past 23 years. Laura is a LPN on St. Ann’s Villa where her kind, quiet and gentle ways have touched every Resident who has lived there. Her love for them and her efforts to meet all the needs of each Resident shines out to them.
November 8th there was a special Mass offered for Laura and her family with readings from St. Paul’s letter to the Cor. mentioning those indicators and qualities of love: “Love is patient, love is kind, love is… and then the Gospel of St. John when Our Lord asked us to “remain in His love…” The prayers of intercessions not only prayed in gratitude for Laura but also her family and mentioned Lauran, her daughter, whom she took complete care of for many years until she was called home to God.
Following Mass Laura was celebrated by a very festive dinner. It was a special joy for Laura’s family to join her. At 2:30 p.m., the Residents, Laura’s Co-Workers, the Sisters all joined her in Holy Family Dining Room to congratulate Laura. The Employees started off by singing and then Mother Marcel Joseph presented Laura with the Jeanne Jugan Award and a beautiful plaque given to Laura by Mother Provincial Loraine from Baltimore. The Dietary Department had prepared a lovely display of chips & dips, a veggie tray, a big sheet cake with Laura’s name on it and punch.
Everyone enjoyed this eventful day and agrees that Laura would have been St. Jeanne Jugan’s choice too as she emulates what St. Jeanne Jugan has asked of each of us when she said, “Remain little, hidden by humility in all God wants from you, as being only the instruments of his work.” Congratulations again, Laura!
