[ Post a Response | A.G.O. Hang Out ]
Posted by Gloria Zampa
on 11/4/2009, 7:45 pm
173.87.221.59
This is in answer to Charlie O's question about Sister Gregory. At my grandchildren's urging,I've been writing about my AGO memories for a number of years.I've written a little bit about all the nuns and priests that helped shape my life. Sister Gregory was a very special person to a lot of us.
Sr. Gregory‘s “Hands” 1950
I read a poem entitled “Hands” it brought back memories of one of the most beloved of all nuns at AGO (Angel Guardian Orphanage) Her name was Sister Gregory. She was a very short plump roly-poly sister. When I first heard about her she was a young nun taking care of another cottage. I must have been about ten years old at the time. Her reputation for kindness and understanding was not the greatest. She was always hitting the kids.
Trying to control forty children age’s 5- 15 years old was a pretty tough assignment for a nun just having taken her final vows. She had to be about 23 years old.
Well, needless to say, a number of years passed, she was transferred to many different places. Sister Gregory was eventually transferred back to AGO. She was assigned to cottage 43, MY COTTAGE! Oh NO!The nun we did have was a person that should have NEVER been in charge of children! I was in for it again! That's what I thought. Sister Gregory was there with me through part of 7 & all of 8th grade. What a change in her, Her big white wimple (collar) was always crumpled from letting all the little ones give her hugs or from her holding them in her arms just comforting them. One day I came out and asked her why she didn't hit us like some of the other nuns did. I told her I knew she had done that in the other cottage she was in charge of. I was testing her a lot. I didn't always listen to her the first time when she spoke and being one of the older kids in the cottage I thought I had all of the answers. I gave her a run for her money. I was not afraid of her or anyone. I was ready for anything anyone might throw at me. I was not ready for her answer. Her answer to me blew me away.
She spread her hands out in front of me and said, "You see God gave me these hands. I'm not to use them to hit kids, but to help them grow in His likeness and image. Hitting isn't the answer. I know I did that a long time ago, but I've changed".
Sister Gregory had a profound effect on me. I know God had a reason for sending her to my cottage at such an impressionable stage of my life. Since then, I've talked to alumni that had her 10-20 years later and they all adored her. Many of us have sent in donations and paid for bricks to be laid in a prayer garden in her name. I'm sure she will never be put up for sainthood, but in my book she will always be "Saint Sister Gregory". Joe, my husband, and I would go to visit her and her kids she cared for after we were married. We brought her to our home in Elk Grove for visits. She considered herself "Grandma" to my children.
What a women! She passed away a number of years ago. She will always be remembered by the good use of her hands and the unconditional love she gave to us.
Responses: