Many Blessings, Sisters Of St. Joseph, Sister Rita, Ascension of Our Lord Parish, Philadelphia, PA
God works everyday as this is a testimony of His Works.
I was shopping at my local mall this morning, when I entered Many Blessings. my favorite place to search for anything beautiful. They have an enormous assortment of religious items, you name it. Catholic Holy Cards, Medals, anything that warms your soul, it is there. The employees are all special people and always asks if there is anything they can help you with. I feel like I go to my own private Church when I enter. It is a unique experience.
I will share a brief story from this afternoon.
I was back at the Holy Card Section, All the Saints; Prayer cards are located in the back section to the left.
I wanted a Holy Card for the Sick. Another woman next to me inquired about a St. Michael Holy Card. As I glanced up I said, ” Michael the Archangel, I live on Michael Lane, I believe He guards my home.” She replied, “I know it is the Protector of Policemen but I want it.” She then said, “I am a Sister from the Order of St Joseph.” I inquired what parish she was from. “Ascension of Our Lord Parish in Philadelphia. in the 1960′s. Her name is Sister Rita. To make a long story short, I was schooled at the same parish at the same time and lived across the street from the Convent. But the beautiful Cathedral Church which had two levels is closed now. I remember those stained glass windows I stared at as a child to becoming a young adult. I also buried my two parents in the upper level of Ascension parish in the 1990′s. I was beside myself and started to name other Sisters from that parish who taught me. Talked about our Choir that I was a singer in, the May Processions, Carnival on Labor Day, and other memories that are inscribed forever in my mind. But her memory is at a loss. But we reminisced about the parish in the 1960′s. I asked her to keep me in her prayers tomorrow. No, I asked her for her phone number she can be reached at. I opened my address book and there I find my missing debit/credit card. Wow, I kept saying, “Please St. Anthony come around something is lost and can’t be found” for weeks. She said, “Better late than never.” It was Sister Rita who touch my innermost soul. Sister Rita is now located in South Jersey. We need to pray together at Mass Sister, as another Sister was in observation. I had tears in my eyes and cried. I exclaimed, ” It was because of You Sister Rita, that my Faith never diminished. My steadfast morality that the Sisters taught their students with the The Baltimore Catechism. God Bless you.”
I shared this story with my son and two other friends.
Oh, I also purchased the Michael the Archangel Holy card but gave it to my friend when he told me his story this afternoon.
This is my testimony that God is ever-present in my life. HE is The LORD who which all thing are good. I await the Sunday in which I can share Mass with Sister Rita.
Read Below: The plight of my once beautiful former parish. It is very sad. Early in the morning today, I shared this story with my friend Martini who is from Ireland, as I became very emotional with the closure of my once beautiful church, its decay and read her this post showed her the below links. Martini replied, ” Donna, you and I will go over to the Church before it is torn down and get a piece of it so you can have it to remember.” God led Martini back into my life again as we were separated due to her divorce for a reason. That is what God does in your life if you let HIM.
Below are the links to my once beautiful Parish, Ascension of Our Lord, Philadelphia, PA.
Paula Balano, Designer of the Ascension Windows
Philly stained glass windows heading to Raleigh
Removal of Windows from Ascension Church in Philadelphia
Ascension of Our Lord Revealed
