The Junior Ladies of Charity in Albany, New York closed their first semester with the Induction Ceremony of new juniors, adults, and young juniors by Bishop Howard Hubbard, Bishop of Albany on December 8, 2005 with the entire student body present to witness the ceremony. The girls were also honored to have Mary Beth O’Brien, national president deliver a message to the group. Jackie DeSanti, local president and Sue Ungerer, moderator of the young junior ladies, also participated in the ceremony. There were 38 new Junior Ladies, 12 new adult members and 21 new young ladies installed, bringing the number of current members in the school to 159. Today in the Albany Junior Ladies there are over 500 members, many who are continuing to lead in their college years and beyond in their work places, parishes and civic communities.
It has been a very active few months for the high school Junior Ladies who are working in diverse services throughout the Capital District, across the United States and in the Global Community as well. So many of the poor people in this area depend on the Junior Ladies work on a daily basis as they provide food, clothing, household needs and services, tutoring, child care, services for shut-ins and direct services for AIDS victims. These girls reach out everywhere and commit themselves on an ongoing basis. In addition to these local services, there have been ongoing efforts for the Katrina victims and the needy in missions in Mississippi, and other areas of the United States, as well as for the poor of the world, particularly in the Middle East and in our African missions.
A full January is planned with a blood drive already scheduled on January 12, food pantry assistance throughout the month and a lunch for Damien Center Aids victims on January 31. In addition, students continue to fulfill their individual volunteer commitments. Together they are working to make a difference in small and large ways by sharing their own gifts of time and energy, their talents and themselves with others. Together they are building relationships with those in need, and gaining as much as they are giving. Together they are finding new ways to make life better for others. Together they serve as models of strength, care, courage and faith for others. Together the Junior Ladies are beacons of light bringing the hands, heart and face of Jesus to others. Together they are leaping into 2006 to build a better world for everyone .
This article was taken from Ladies of Charity USA quarterly publication,
The Servicette
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