The Village at Marymount Celebrates Mission Day Mass

The Village at Marymount celebrated its fifth annual Mission Day Mass which for the past three years has grown to include all the ministries on the Marymount Intergenerational Health and Education Campus, including Marymount Hospital, Marymount Child Care Center, Trinity High School, the Franciscan Center, and The Village at Marymount.

The Mass, which includes an anointing of hands for Mission, was celebrated outside at the Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine by Bishop Roger Gries, OSB, on May 20.

Trinity High School provided altar servers and enhanced the celebration in a special way with one of the school’s choir groups getting everyone singing along with heart and soul directed by Jennifer Cochran. Marymount Hospital included its own Mission Day celebration during the day with displays depicting the heritage of its healing ministry. Hospital staff who attended the Mass said it was the perfect way to bring to full circle the fact that the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis founded and continue to sponsor and support the campus ministries. The Village at Marymount is the “youngest” ministry on the campus.

Sister Mary Alice Jarosz initiated the Mission Day Mass within a year of becoming Director of Mission Integration in 2009. Since most of her religious life and ministry has been focused on the campus, she couldn’t help but go beyond The Village and include everyone on campus.

“After all, to me that is the true meaning of ‘integration’ – bringing all these related entities together to celebrate the good we have done, the good we are doing, and the good that, in true Franciscan style, is still ours to do!”

Plans are already under way for next year’s celebration. All campus staff members will be encouraged to attend the Mass.