Students inspired by Catholic Schools Week message

Posted on Feb 08, 2005

In observance of Catholic Schools Week, on February 3 the students of Lauralton Hall attended an assembly presented by Patty, Cook, RSM.

“How beautiful...” sang Sr. Patty, and the students and staff echoed her words till the message resounded throughout the gym, “How beautiful on the mountaintops are the feet of those who bring good news. How beautiful on the city streets are the lips of those who speak of peace.” As a former missionary in Guatemala, Patty Cook, RSM, worked with the young people of Chanmagua, a village of 150 people in the mountains near the city of Esquipulas. Her stories and slides brought to life the poverty of the people to whom she ministered, but more importantly, Sister highlighted the strong faith that fills these people with simple joy in the midst of a hard life. Senior class and Student Council officers helped Sister present a gospel mime prayer in the tradition she learned from the youth group in Guatemala. 

The students presented Sr. Patty with a Lauralton shirt as well as a promise to sponsor a casual dress day for a mission project of her choice. Sister has asked that part of the monies collected be sent to the village of Chanmagua and part be contributed to the Bible study class for incarcerated women at York Prison. A Sister of Mercy of Connecticut, Sr. Patty “retired” from her position as Director of Lay Ministry for the Diocese of Norwich - and in the true spirit of the daughters of Catherine McAuley, she continues to work for the marginalized, this time as a Pastoral Minister at Niantic Prison.