Last night the communities of Washington and Baltimore were given an unexpected treat—an evening with a famous Hollywood actress. Well, not exactly a Hollywood actress … not anymore, anyway. Mother Dolores Hart, O.S.B. was in town to tape a show at the EWTN studio next door and would be staying with our Sisters at Jeanne Jugan Residence for a couple of days. She graciously agreed to share her vocation story with the community.

Those born too long ago, or too recently, might not know who Dolores Hart is, or was. She was a rising Hollywood star in the early 1960’s, whose claim to fame was (among other things) that she gave Elvis Presley his first onscreen kiss in 1958 in Loving You (she was once quoted as saying that although onscreen kisses could only last 15 seconds in those days, that kiss has gone on for over 40 years!). In 1963 she abruptly left Hollywood, fame and all the pleasures of this world to enter the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, Connecticut (click here to visit the monastery web site).

In a very charming way, Mother Dolores shared highlights of her life story with us, including the following:

·Born to Hollywood parents and brought up in Chicago by her grandmother, who had no particular religion, but who sent her to Catholic school, she converted to Catholicism as a ten year old, because (at least at the outset), she craved the chocolate milk and sweet rolls that the Catholic kids snacked on after Mass each morning. She said that this fact taught her that God often uses “something sweet, something we like,” to reach us.

· Mother’s grandfather worked in a local movie theater operating the movie reels. Since he liked to nap on the job, he paid her 0.25 per reel to wake him up when it was time to change the reels. As she sat in the dark watching movie after movie, although without the sound because that would have disturbed her grandfather’s naps, she assimilated the art of acting. Later, Hollywood professionals would ask her where she learned so much about acting. Only after entering the monastery did she realize that she should have credited her grandfather for her natural acting ability!

· While acting in a Broadway play in 1958 (The Pleasure of His Company), she became exhausted and a friend convinced her to visit the Regina Laudis Abbey for a rest.

· She began visiting the monastery whenever she was on the East Coast, and slowly began to realize that it was home for her. At the same time, she was deeply marked by the leading role she played in the movie Lisa, about a Holocaust survivor who had endured tremendous suffering. Although engaged to be married, in 1963 she left her fiancé, a lucrative movie contract and everything else behind to enter the monastery.

The rest is history, as they say … HIS-STORY, as in God, her heavenly Bridegroom!

Welcome to Ballmer Hon! On July 23^rd St. Martin’s Home hosted a gathering to welcome our new residents and employees. Our current residents and employees acted out the Beatitudes for Friends of the Aged by Esther Mary Walker while our Little Sisters sang Empty Hands, Awaiting All From God. Everyone shared in laughter as they ate ice-cream and fruit pizza.

A warm welcome to our new Activities Director Cindy and three new residents, Antoinette, Jim and Mabel! Cindy hails from Vermont and is a huge Red Sox fan (we will forgive her of this transgression). Antoinette is originally from Haiti and enjoys speaking French and Creole. Mabel is a native of Argentina and Jim is a local boy who grew up on a farm in Timonium. He lived and met his wife of 52 years while in Iceland working for Bendix before moving back to Maryland and raising his three children.

On July 20, 2010 the Baltimore Oriole’s played the #2 team in the MLB, but their #1 fans were in attendance. Brooks Robinson and his wife Connie generously donated a club level suite to the Little Sisters of the Poor. Five Little Sisters accompanied residents Ed Pribyl, Evelyn Hill, Mary Fortier, Rita Fernandez and Sis Carnes to the game.

Sis, who turned 88 years old last week, said, “This was a dream come true.” She had never been to a Major League Baseball game. To make a great day even better the Residents and Sisters were visited by both the renowned (retired Oriole) Paul Blair and the infamous Oriole Bird.

The O’s lost that day, but nobody in Suite 56 cared too much. They were enjoying one of America’s favorite summer past-times in one Baltimore’s iconic institutions, Camden Yards.

On Thursday evening, July 26th, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick treated the Residents to a Crab Feast. The Crab Feast has been an annual tradition for over 20 years and one of the Residents’ most anticipated events. Delicious crab soup, crab cakes, green beans, salads and pie were supplied by Friendly Son and Bear Bros. Catering owner Shawn Casserly. Though many Residents choose the crab cakes over picking their own, the true blooded Baltimoreans came prepared with knife and mallet in hand. It was a perfect Maryland feast; one which beckoned many memories of past summers and catching your own crabs for dinner. We thank the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick for organizing the event and look forward to their Annual Christmas extravaganza!

As the dog days of summer are upon us St. Martin’s Home is still jumping with activities. The Residents will be hula dancing at the Island Party on August 5^th, attending a mass and candlelight procession for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15^th, and singing at our Karaoke & Ice Cream Soda social on August 24^th.

August has significant importance at St. Martin’s Home as we prepare for the Feast of Saint Jeanne Jugan. In anticipation of her feast day, on August 30^th, we gather daily to recite the Novena Prayer. We hope you will join us in prayer and celebration on this joyous day. Be sure to return to our blog next week for more details on how St. Martin’s Home is celebrating St. Jeanne Jugan.

Photo:  Friendly Son Tom Lawler and Resident Marie Cusick.

It was an emotional day at St. Martin’s this past Tuesday as we gathered to celebrate the retirement of our Social Service Designee, Chris Ames. Chris joined the St. Martin family in 1982 as a Geriatric Nurses Assistant and worked her way through the ranks until 1994 when she was promoted to her current position. Chris joined the St. Martin’s family as she was just beginning her own. Throughout her years at St. Martin’s she raised four wonderful children and strived to live out the mission of Saint Jeanne Jugan.

Our resident, Lil Calendar, expressed heart felt gratitude on behalf of all the Little Sisters and Residents. She promised to make Chris laugh and in honest Lil fashion told one of her many stories about the Home. It was evident that through the years she formed a very close relationship with Chris as did many of the residents. Chris was not just an employee watching out for their best interests, she was family.

Chris Ames took the mike to express her appreciation to everyone who came to say goodbye and wish her luck. She ended her speech with a promise to the Residents, “Whoever succeeds me will love you as I did.” Everyone applauded and appropriately chanted, “For she’s a jolly good fellow, for she’s a jolly good fellow, for she’s a jolly good fellllllloow, which nobody can deny!”

I am glad I had the opportunity to work with Chris. She always conducted herself with grace and professionalism, but her true talent lied in her work with the residents. She was a natural! Her genuine love and affection was something to admire. When watching Chris you truly understood the spirit and mission of Saint Jeanne Jugan. Chris, we will miss your smiling face in the hallways, but trust that the St. Martin’s family will keep you in their thoughts and prayers.

by Amelia Arnold

Photo: Lil Calendar and Chris Ames share stories.