The second annual Women’s Day at Graymoor took place on August 15, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. What an appropriate day for attendees to honor and remember impactful women in their lives and celebrate new friendships created through this event.
Together, more than 100 women celebrated the Eucharist, enjoyed lunch with the Friars of the Atonement and gained inspiration from guest speaker Kacey Morabito Grean.
The day began with Fr. Jan Janoszka, SA celebrating Mass for the women. The readings for the Feast of the Assumption fit well with the theme of Women’s Day. They included passages from Revelation 12, where the Apostle John has a vision of a woman in heaven, “clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.” The Gospel reading from Luke recounted the story of Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visiting her cousin Elizabeth.
After a nourishing lunch, Kacey, host of the Shine On! Health and Happiness show on the Hudson Valley’s WHUD, engaged participants in a writing exercise to unleash creativity and develop emotional and spiritual well-being. She led them through exercises that helped them break the ice and get to know the women in their group on a deeper level. She helped them reconnect to themselves to unleash their inner child.
There was also much discussion about Mary and her humble — yet significant — life in Nazareth. Each participant was challenged to think of one thing they could do for the Blessed Mother and they then shared their pledge with the group.
Fr. Emil Tomaskovic, SA — Minister General of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement — spoke at the end of the event about the work of the Friars. He shared stories highlighting the generosity of our donors. Their gifts have provided hundreds of meals to the poor and have helped build cathedrals and schools throughout the world, including in the Philippines and Japan.
Fr. Emil also elaborated on the ecumenical work the Friars are doing to achieve global unity through the Centro Pro Unione and GEII. He closed with a touching story of an Orthodox bishop who thanked the Friars for financially supporting his congregation through the Union That Nothing Be Lost (UNBL), the missionary outreach of the Friars and Sisters of the Atonement.
The women got a glimpse into the life and work of the people of Graymoor. Some of the residents of St. Christopher’s Inn served at the luncheon, so the women saw how they give back graciously to the Graymoor community. After lunch, they learned about the recovery and rehabilitation services offered by St. Christopher’s Inn and the difference it is making in the lives of men from all walks of life who are battling addictions.
