Thank you, thank you, Milwaukee for a really wonderful LCUSA National Assembly, Sept. 12-13. Mary Johnson and Mary Domer and their committee did a really outstanding job of organizing and providing a meaningful and fun assembly, “Just Care! Vincentian Women in Action.”
The assembly was marked by rich liturgies, challenging speakers and informative workshops. Members from across the country also watched excerpts from a movie on Dorothy Day and discussed how her life and work could inform their own work. The plenary speaker on Friday, Sept. 12 was Marilyn Martone, a Lady of Charity and retired professor of theology and health care ethics. Using her own experience advocating for her daughter who suffered traumatic brain injury, Dr. Martone reflected on how the relationships of giving and receiving care creates bonds among persons, based in love. She also spoke fervently about what our society, and the Ladies of Charity, can do to insure that caregiving does not become too burdensome for the caregiver. Kim Bobo, Executive Director/Founder, Interfaith Worker Justice, Chicago, IL, the keynote speaker on Saturday, described ways Ladies of Charity could support workers in efforts to end wage theft and raise the minimum wage. Sr. Germaine Price, DC, missionary and Daughter of Charity NGO representative at the United Nations, gave a very inspiring presentation on Caring in the Vincentian Way. One of our unique highlights was our very own LCUSA video, “Who We Are” produced by Dr. Joan Ball from St. John’s University. It will be available for all of our organizations to use to encourage membership.
Members left the Assembly spiritually uplifted and revitalized by the community formed with fellow Ladies of Charity and filled with a renewed resolve in our commitment to serving the disadvantaged and marginalized members of our local and global societies.