Friends Enjoy Visiting Sinsinawa
by Jo Ann Dold, OP
From left: Sr. Cassian Faragher (deceased), Cody, and Jan Kelly.
Jan Kelly is a friend of many years. Our friendship began when I met Jan and her husband, Jim, at St. Raphael Cathedral Parish in Madison, WI. I write of her because she is a very caring person who continues to connect to and love Sinsinawa. She tells me that, as one of nine children, she learned these values from her dear Lutheran mother who taught her to share the little they had. She continues to foster relationships at Sinsinawa Mound and St. Dominic Villa.
Recently she wrote about her beginnings of visiting the Mound.
Jim and I would go to Sinsinawa to see his cousin, Sister Cassian [Faragher, OP]. There we would spend time and share lunch with her. When Jim died six years ago, my twin sister Jean’s daughter, Karen, took over the driving. We continue to make the trip once a month and hope to continue!
I don’t remember when we started buying bread, but it seemed whenever we mentioned going to the Mound, someone wanted something from the bakery. As the years have gone by, we found ourselves bringing back boxes of breads, rolls, and pies. Our orders were anywhere from $200 to $500. At one point, we thought we might need to rent a U-Haul, but we always managed to get everything in our van.
Over the years, we have taken several people with us. Karen’s young son, Cody, was one of Sister Cassian’s favorites. He would play his flute for her and the Sisters who gathered to hear the music at the Villa. Jean made a corsage and brought table decorations for Sister Cassian’s 75th jubilee luncheon. We all came to her funeral to say, “good-bye.” Cody took it quite hard.
We have met many wonderful people at the Mound and Villa. The people at the front desk, in the gift shop, and in the kitchen are great. So are the Sisters and nurses at the Villa! We now stop to say, “hi,” to another friend, Sister Marie Theodore [Girten, OP], who has friends in Madison. It’s such a good feeling to come to Sinsinawa. To end each visit, we go to the chapel for some quiet moments of peace and give thanks for the safe journey.
Thank you, Jan, for sharing your story. With many other stories, it will echo through the years. I appreciate your friendship and your love and support of my home, Sinsinawa Mound!