activities department for a combined 70
years! They have used donated fabrics,
yarn, T-shirts, old greeting cards, and
more to create something both beautiful and useful. Julie believes that “in our
disposable society, it is fun to see what can
come out of someone’s leftovers. Donors
know that whatever is given us, nothing
will go to waste.”
Recycling is not the only value exemplified in the activities department. BVM
mission is always part of each planned
activity. Staff tries to involve each sister in
activities that meet their physical abilities
and keep them focused on outreach to
those in need. Annie tries to break down
each project so everyone is successful.
“There is always a job for whoever comes
to help with an activity. No one is ever
turned away.” Jo is often a “prep person”
behind every project—including the
“Diaper Project,” which uses old T-shirts
to make diapers for mothers who do not
have access to baby diapers.
Donated fabrics have also become
dresses, shorts, pillowcases, blankets and
quilts. Scraps of fabrics have been transformed into blankets and toys for rescued
animals. Sisters in the “Cut-Ups” group
create table decorations for monthly birthday celebrations which are then passed on
to local nursing homes. From the comfort
of their bedrooms, sisters lovingly referred
to as “Knit-Wits” continue to supply the
homeless with warm hats and gloves, all
made from donated yarn.
Often ideas for an activity come from
others who are aware of seemingly basic,
but very real needs. Through her work
with Catholic Charities in Florida, Ann
DeNicolo, BVM (Ann Thomas) came in
contact with Carol Tighe, a community
health care nurse in Naples, Fla. Carol
was concerned about infants who died
from “rollover suffocation” while sharing
crowded sleeping quarters. Carol thought
of a “Moses Project” solution that could
prevent further such tragedies and shared
her idea with Ann, who then passed it on
to C. Jean Hayen, BVM (Catherine Jean),
who volunteers with the resident sisters at
Mount Carmel.
Soon our sisters were busy sewing
padding to place around plastic laundry
baskets which would serve as baby cribs.
Others began crocheting baby afghans,
booties, hats, sweaters and stuffed animals—all from donated materials. While
sisters kept these babies in their prayers,
others created crocheted crosses to place
in the cribs. The “Moses baskets” became
one of Annie’s favorite and most meaningful activities for the sisters.
Recycling the world’s goods demonstrates care for Mother Earth, brings joy
and meaning to BVM sisters, and continues their mission of sharing God’s love to
those in need.
I th
In the past five years, using all donated
t
i ll d t d
materials, the sisters and staff at Mount
Carmel have created and given away the
following items:
39
Moses baskets to
migrant families in
Florida
3,600+
Diapers and sanitary
pads to Haiti and
Madagascar, all made
from recycled T-shirts
5,000+
Knitted hats to
homeless shelters, Head
Start, Birthright, and
the Appalachian Project
16
Quilts to immigrant
families in Postville,
Iowa
Pillow