Today the Rotary Club of Oregon-Northwood held their regular weekly breakfast meeting here at the Home. As part of their “Rotary on the Road” series, the Little Sisters of the Poor were asked to host one of their member meetings.
The Little Sisters were also the chosen speaker for the day and Mother Cecilia welcomed the Rotarians and shared with them her thoughts about the Mission of the Little Sisters. Since this was the second time we have hosted the local Rotary Club, the last being in January 2010, the members were very familiar with our Home. Mother Cecilia used her speech as an opportunity to share more in depth information about the Little Sisters as a Religious order. We showed the Rotarians a wonderful video, which detailed the founding of the order and the importance of St. Jeanne Jugan’s vision and how it is alive and well today.
The Rotary members, who follow the motto “Service above Self,” were very in tune to our message of Caring for the Elderly Poor. They asked questions about our Residents and Sisters, and wanted to know how we raised support for the Home. We shared with them our plans for special events in 2012 and invited their support as business leaders in the local community. Some questions from the group focused on the friendship between Mother Cecilia and Dr. E. Gordon Gee, president of the Ohio State University. Even after many months this relationship between OSU and the Little Sisters is still of interest. Mother Cecilia shared that just last month she had an opportunity to visit briefly with Dr. Gee when she was in Columbus for a seminar. She explained that Dr. Gee, like so many of our supporters, has skillfully used his influence and network of friends to help spread the Mission of the Little Sisters. She explained that the Homes of the Little Sisters are in many communities throughout the United States, not unlike Oregon, Ohio. These Homes exist and thrive due to the generous support of the people in those communities. She asked the Rotarians to consider ways in which they could help support the work of the Little Sisters through their business connections and outreach?
The Little Sisters were proud to host the Rotary Club of Oregon-Northwood and welcome their ongoing friendship and support.
To learn more about the Rotary Club of Oregon-Northwood please follow this web link http://www.clubrunner.ca/Portal/Home.aspx?cid=5390
