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Saying Goodbye to Gert Sheppard |
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Many people in the Serenity Retreat League loved Gert Sheppard. She was a joy to be around and a pleasure to watch in action at a retreat. She was the queen of the Chinese auction at St. Alphonso Retreat Center in Long Branch, New Jersey as she raised money for the League and provided scholarships each year. Gert served many people for a long time and she will be remembered for her generous spirit and willingness to give her time and energy to the causes she valued such as her annual Serenity Retreat and the educational scholarship fund at her church. Our hearts reach out to the family, friends and neighbors as we offer our sympathy. Gert will be greatly missed and fondly remembered. |
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Dear SRL Friends,
It is with a very sad heart that I have to type this note - Gert Sheppard, Co-Captain of the August San Alfonso Retreat, died late last night at Raritan Bay Hospital in Perth Amboy, NJ.
Please keep her family in your prayers.
Thank you, Jackie Goedesky
Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2010 11:32 AM
From: Mona Sides-Smith, Sent: Friday, February 12, 2010 9:58 am
Subject: RE: Sad News
How Very sad. Prayers are being said for Gert's family and candles are burning, offering love and peace.
Gert Sheppard served cheerfully and willingly for many years to help make the Serenity Retreat League the spiritual sanctuary that it is to more than a hundred women every August. Do not think for a minute that her spirit will leave the halls of San Alfonso on the Jersey shore or leave our hearts at retreat houses across America. Her ready smile and her laughter will
float among all of us and dwell within me always.
Gert was from the Britsh West Indies Island of Anguilla and set the standard for diversity in our troop of spiritual seekers and helped to open our doors to all who travel this path to unity and brotherhood.
Please share Gert's legacy with others as we hold close her and her family and friends.
Mona Sides-Smith |
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Where’s Mary!
It was a new year, a new decade and a new greeter, Alfie, who sniffed and followed every car that entered the parking lot. If you wore mittens, he wanted them. If you wanted to sum up the Mount St. Alphonsus Retreat into two words, you would say “Where’s Mary”. The family members who attended this retreat got a good dose of the artful quotes and illustrations of Mary Engelbreit. There were 121 Mary’s running all over The Mount. Everyone became a ‘Mary’ by wearing a colorful flower in their hair. We included some of the staff members and they too wore flowers including our bachelor, St. Alphonsus. Our new Captain, Mary T. began the retreat with a poem called “Nobody Knows It but Me” taking us to that safe place inside all of us. Our theme for the weekend was honoring that inner child by having fun. Surely this message came out loud and clear. On Friday we welcomed 12 newcomers and our leader, Sr. Linda Fischer, from PA. She is a newcomer to our Serenity Retreat Family and was awesome. Her friendly, knowledgeable and humorous persona set us off to what was “one of the best retreats I have attended in a long time” as quoted by several of the girls. On Saturday night we had a special appearance from Heavenly Heather who was the icing on the cake. “I never laughed so much” was the feeling of everyone. Sister Linda ended the retreat with a very spiritual and emotional closing in the beautiful Chapel. We are still feeling the effects of all the love we received during the ceremony. On Sunday, as we were saying our goodbyes, many said that they can’t wait until next year ...so, let’s just stay.
Submitted by Captain Betty Madden
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