English Teachers Meet

On Tuesday, we held the first meeting of our English teachers.  Since most of them teach at different times and/or different days, they rarely cross paths.  This meeting presented a great opportunity for them to share teaching strategies while enjoying each other's company.  After the meeting, the entire staff ate lunch together.  How blessed we are to have such dedicated volunteers who give of themselves wholeheartedly to the women of Passaic. 

Our staff gathers for lunch (left to right):  Sister Charlotte Koch, FSP (English teacher), Sister Elaine Maguire, FSP (Associate Director), Sister Patricia Reynolds, SC (quilting teacher), and English teachers Sister Ursula Carr, SC, Sister Mary Culhane, SC, Sister Eleanor Goekler, SMIC and Mrs. Marie Mead.

Have you told a friend?

Do you remember the post from April 2 in which we asked you to bring a friend to the blog?  Since then, we have increased readership by 18%, which is a wonderful start toward our goal of doubling our subscribers.  So, we are asking you to consider spreading the word about the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women by asking a friend to subscribe to the blog.  Click here to go to the post that gives instructions.  Thanks for considering this!

Visit with the SCC Associates

On Sunday, April 27, Sister Ann Marie Paul, Director of the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women, was in Mendham, NJ to introduce the Center to the Companions of Pauline, Associates of the Sisters of Christian Charity during their annual Covenant Day. In her presentation, Sister Ann Marie invited the SCC Associates to focus on how this ministry in Passaic in the 21st century mirrors the early work of the founder of the community, Pauline von Mallinckrodt, in Germany in the 19th century.  In its service to the poor, collaboration and ecumenism and openness to new ways of ministering, the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women mirrors the early (and continued) work of many of the founders of religious communities.  Please contact Sister Ann Marie (sam@patersondiocese.org or (973) 470-0844) if you would like to arrange a presentation for one of your groups. 

Sister Ann Marie addresses the Companions of Pauline, Associates of the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham, NJ.

The Companions of Pauline gather for a group photo at the end of the day.

Volunteer Profile: Tiffany

As our Montclair State University students complete their service with us, we profile freshman Tiffany Sisak, a Psychology major from Bradley Beach, NJ. Tiffany hopes to work as a high school guidance counselor and, perhaps, be in private practice one day.  Tiffany shares that she chose to volunteer at the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women because she wanted to be a part of a place that empowers women.

Tiffany says that her experience at the Center has been very educational:  "The women who run this Center have motivated me to become more of a leader in everything I take on.  Their leadership qualities have inspired me to become a more influential leader myself.  If I hadn't had the opportunity to volunteer at the Center, I would not have had the privilege to meet the women from the Passaic area and build relationships with them.  I am so thankful to have volunteered here."

Tiffany celebrates with Sr. Pat and Luz.

SC Volunteers in New Dimensions

Thank you to the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth, Convent Station, for featuring the Center and our SC volunteers in the latest issue of their publication, New Dimensions.    Click here to access the article on the Sisters of Charity website.

The Center in the Beacon

We are grateful to reporter Cecile San Agustin, editor Rich Sokerka and everyone at the Beacon (Newspaper of the Diocese of Paterson) for the beautiful article about the Center in today's edition. It contains an overview of the Center's first six months and a profile of one of our volunteers, Marie Mead.    Click here to access the E-edition of the Beacon.  The article about the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women is on page 3.

Volunteer Profile: Tasia

Today we would like you to meet Tasia, another of our volunteers from Montclair State University.  Tasia is a junior Psychology major from Teaneck, NJ , who would like to work in the field of education or counseling and help the community-at-large in any way possible.

Tasia chose the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women from among the choices offered in her Psychology of Leadership class because she felt that the Center would best fit to encompass the things in which she likes to be involved.

Tasia notes that the experience has been a great one so far:  "The employees are very warm hearted and welcoming, so I felt right at home. Also, I love working with the teachers and the women that come to the Center on a regular basis because I get to see progress that leads to success."

We are grateful to Tasia for the gentle, peaceful spirit that she brings to the women we serve.

Tasia (right) and her computer student take a break.

Tasia with volunteer, Sr. Ursula Carr, SC (left) and Associate Director, Sr. Elaine Maguire, FSP