This summer, visitors to San Francisco have been made keenly aware that it is the 50th Anniversary of the Summer of Love – theme parties, museum exhibits, special events, and era art reproductions abound. However, it is the fellowship and community that prevails at St. Anne’s that led us to celebrating our own Celebration of Love, acknowledging the importance of peace and love in their true meaning and for all times. The St. Anne’s community came together to enjoy a journey down the memory lane of an era that began in San Francisco with the core values that held the ideals of St. Francis: caring for those in need, especially the poor. We are blessed at St. Anne’s Home to be able to celebrate together and to everyday put into practice the teachings of St. Francis in the interactions among residents, Sisters, employees, volunteers, family members and friends.
Our themed festivities brought together Little Sisters, residents, staff and volunteers from our Auxiliary and Association Jeanne Jugan to welcome Mother Provincial Maria Christine to city of St. Francis for her Feast Day and to celebrate her dedication as a Little Sister of the Poor. We were entertained with reflections of the era that espoused peace and we commemorated the spirit of loving service, started almost 180 years ago, by St. Jeanne Jugan, and that lives on throughout the world today.
Fashions of 1967 were both genuinely and humorously donned in a well arranged fashion show. We listened to music that got its start in San Francisco and savored tasty comfort food. Our Celebration of Love gathering reinforced the air of good feeling that prevails in the hospitality of service and kindness.
The laity were always a vital part of the mission of our Foundress, St. Jeanne Jugan. She created a network of charity, knowing that she could not do it alone. She relied on the charity of those in her community. At St. Anne’s, we know we cannot do it alone in the 21st Century any more than St. Jeanne Jugan could in the 19th Century, and we are thankful for the network of collaborators in our community.
A Celebration of Love