Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, celebrated the 25th anniversary of his ordination as bishop on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 2, by honoring 201 parishioners and Catholic organizations from the Archdiocese of Washington for their dedicated service. Among the recipients of this award was our very own Little Sister of the Poor, Sr. Pauline Kelly.
Cardinal Wuerl presented each honoree, including Sr. Pauline, with an individual “Manifesting the Kingdom Award” following Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. “Epiphany,” wrote Cardinal Wuerl “seems to be the most appropriate time for us to salute those who themselves are a light pointing to the importance of Christ and his Church. These are people who manifest the Lord’s kingdom of love, compassion, kindness, joy and peace in their own lives, in the quiet service they provide Christ’s Church and in the witness they bear to all of us that each of us is capable of manifesting the Lord and his kingdom”
“I’m just plain old me and feel very humbled to be getting this award,” said Sr. Pauline ”I’m really accepting this award on behalf of all the Little Sisters and their dedicated service to the elderly poor of the Washington, D.C. area,” she explained.
Sr. Pauline originally of Oakland, California entered the Little Sisters of the Poor more than 48 years ago. As our “collecting sister,” here at the Jeanne Jugan Residence she can often be seen driving around Washington, D.C. in our “begging van” as she goes to businesses and markets seeking donations of food, supplies and monetary assistance. Each Sunday, Sr. Pauline visits churches around the archdiocese with our “begging basket,” to provide an opportunity for parishioners to help us in our work. Since the Little Sisters of the Poor rely on God’s Providence to make ends meet, we are always grateful for the donations of food and other needed items to care for our elderly Residents.
The celebration was a simple “Thank You” to the honorees for the blessing that they are, and to ask God to continue to reward them for all that they are, for all that they mean and for all that they manifest in this archdiocese. The recipients were nominated by their pastors, religious communities or other organizations, and range from young adults to people in their nineties. This is the first year the Manifesting the Kingdom Award has been given.
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