Our Resident, Marge Golas, had been activity director at our Home in Enfield for many years, sparing no effort to make the Residents happy. But she has not fully retired from that pursuit! With great eagerness she planned a Resident pilgrimage to St. Francis of Assisi Church in South Windsor in honor of the Jubilee of St. Francis and to provide us all with the opportunity to gain the plenary indulgence. Her daughter ordered beautiful St. Francis t-shirts for the pilgrims to wear, and Marge enlisted the help of her son, Fr. John Golas, pastor of our local St. Jeanne Jugan Parish, to plan and lead the prayers. Our prayer time also included quiet moments in the church to reflect on the humble, peaceful, and joyful spirit of St. Francis — so akin to the spirit of our own Mother St. Jeanne Jugan. Mother Maureen then lit candles for our intentions and for peace.
At the conclusion of the pilgrimage each participant was able to venerate the relic of St. Francis before we boarded the bus for home. But as is fit for weary travelers, we did what Marge would surely have done for her Residents years ago: we stopped for ice cream.
