Sound Beach Sisters Journey Back to Their Roots in Litchfield, CT

This past weekend (11/5//22) was memorable for the Daughters of Wisdom of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Convent. Our Sound Beach Sisters boarded the ferry to Bridgeport, CT, on Saturday morning and went on a journey to Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center and Lourdes of Litchfield in Connecticut. For many of the Sisters, it had been many years since their last trip there.

Accompanied by OLPH staff Deborah Ahrem and Donna Hartmann, Sisters Jeannine Boutin, Mary Jane Cashin, Rosemary Connelly, Pat Curreri, Margaret Kelleher, Grace Malonzo, Barbara O’Dea, Marie Sopr, and Joan Zielinski made the journey back to familiar ground and the place of their roots as Daughters of Wisdom. They were welcomed by Connecticut Sisters Ann Casagrande, Patricia Torre, Rosemarie Greco, Jo-Ann Iannotti, OP, and Wisdom House’s Executive Director, Deborah Kelly, and staff. Past Director, Sr. Rosemarie Greco, shared her talent on the piano by playing a welcoming tune as the Sisters gathered in the chapel to listen to Deborah Kelly as she shared some of the sentiments of retreaters at Wisdom House. Sr. Jo-Ann Iannotti, OP, the past arts and spirituality director at Wisdom House, shared a conversation with a new retreater she had just met that morning that led to an opportunity to communicate and keep the history and spirit of Wisdom House alive.

Donna Hartmann said, “Spending the day with the Daughters of Wisdom at their retreat house in Litchfield was truly beautiful. Listening to them reminiscing about their youth there and watching their faces light up with huge smiles made the trip well worthwhile. Everyone was so welcoming and happy to see the Sound Beach sisters.”

After revisiting the grounds and Chapel at Wisdom House, the Sisters’ indulged in a delightful “Chef Margaret Jacobs” culinary experience that Donna described as an “extremely generous lunch spread.” Then it was a short trip down the road to The Lourdes Shrine in Litchfield, CT., where the Sisters met up with Montfortian Fathers Bill Considine, SMM, and Don LaSalle, SMM. There they reminisced over past times and prayed together.

At the day’s conclusion, Donna added, “The weather was absolutely perfect, and the Ferry rides were as smooth as could be. We ended our glorious day with a quick dinner at Cracker Barrel in Milford, CT. Honestly, the day was perfect! What a blessing to watch the sisters enjoy a day trip back to a part of their youth. Who says you can’t go back!”