The following article was originally posted on the Ladies of Charity of the United States of America website by Lucy Ann Saunders, former LCUSA president. View the story here.
A Visit to Daughters of Charity in Macon
After vacationing in St. Mary’s, Ga., my husband and I visited Macon where the Daughters of Charity make their home in the parish of St. Peter Claver. During our visit Sister Elyse Staab graciously gave us the grand tour of her city and the Daughters’ ministries.
Sister Elizabeth Greim is the program director for Daybreak, a place where those without a home are greeted each morning with a hot breakfast and gather during the day in a cafe-style lounge. Showers and laundry facilities are also available. Guests are engaged with the utmost hospitality. A medical clinic is provided in conjunction with the University of Georgia. Daybreak is a collaborative effort of 10 Macon churches and DePaul USA, a national nonprofit with a vision that everyone has a place to call home. Northeast Regional Board Member Marilyn Martone was recently appointed LCUSA’s representative on the DePaul USA Board of Directors.
We also visited Sister Roberta Treppa at FAM (Family Advancement Ministries–helping families move ahead). Their mission statement reads, “FAM is a Catholic, diocesan, social service organization that, in partnership with the community at-large, nurtures a reverence for life by responding to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of families with the goal of moving families toward independence and self-sufficiency.” Sister Grace Calvisi directs a ministry offered to Hispanic families in the parish.
Special thanks to Sister Elyse, who tutors at FAM, as well as wearing many other hats that involve the Vincentian Family South.