Albany, New York-(September 25, 2002)—LCUSA will meet for their Annual
National Assembly in Albany, New York September 25-28, 2002. The meeting will have two tours of the city including Tea at the Governor‚’s Mansion.
There will be video greetings from Reverend Robert P. Maloney, C.M., Superior
General starting off the assembly on Thursday, September 26. A reading of the
New York State Legislative Resolution by Assemblyman John McEnery. The
keynote address will be given by Rev. Bryan Hehir, President Elect Catholic
Charities, USA. Reverend Richard Gielow, C.M. will give a talk on “Extending
our Table.‚”
Sister Nora Sweeney, DC will give a talk on “St. John‚’s Bread for Life
Program‚” and “International Global Project will be given by Sister Patricia
Dunne, D.C.. A technology presentation will be given by Fr. John Freund,
C.M. and “That Place Called Home‚” by author, Sister Mary Ann Lo Giudice,
R.S.M.. The Spirituality of Laughter; Some Scholarship, Some Inspiration and
Lots of Healthy Guffaws by Rabbi and author, Robert Alper.
On Friday, September 27, Sister Margaret Walker, D.C., Brother Jason Lody,
O.F.M. Conv. and Sister Clare Debes, D.C. will speak on the Center City
Community Outreach program. There will be a “Story Hour‚” with Denise McCoy,
owner of The Bookmark, Bettina Burke, Literacy Volunteer and Carla
Eichelberger, Second Grade Teacher, St. Casmir;s School. A peace pole
Ceremony will be held at Academy Park and there will be a Ceremony of Flags
representing 80 nations. Reggie and Kim Harris will hold a concert at the
ceremony.
Participants of the assembly will be attending a Mass on Friday, September
27 at St. Mary‚’s Church with celebrant Reverend Thomas Mc Kenna, C. M.
Vincentian Provincial, Eastern Province U.S.A.. Following the Mass there
will be a Vincentian Family Reception in the War Room of the State Capitol.
A Video Message “Celebrating What‚’s Right with the World‚” will start off the
Assembly on Saturday, September 28. His Excellency the Most Reverend Renato R.
Martino, J.C.D., D.D., Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United
Nations will speak to the participants. There will be a liturgy with the Most
Reverend Howard J. Hubbard, D.D, LCUSA Episcopal Chairman and Bishop of
Albany, N.Y. at St. Joseph‚’s Provincial House. The assembly will conclude
with a banquet with speaker Sister Anne Bryan Smollin, C.S.J. on the “Loaves
and Fishes.‚”
There will be an attendance of over 300 participants including Ladies of
Charity, Daughters and Sisters of Charity, and many Vincentian Priests at the
Crowne Plaza, Albany, New York.
This occasion of the forty second anniversary of the Ladies of Charity of the
United States of America, in the year 2002, we dedicate this assembly to our
Founder, Mrs. Catherine Harkins, a woman of strong commitment and vision in
the continuing the legacy of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac
in the United States of America and all of the Ladies of Charity who for 145
years have served rather than be served.
Submitted by Margaret Kelly
