Erickson Tribune

Monarch Landing

UPDATED: Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Living the Lessons of Mother Theresa

Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006
 

Bestselling Author Shares Lessons of Love and Inspiration During Exclusive Event for Monarch Landing’s Priority List

By Melissa Borgerding
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Mother Theresa was the most beautiful and humble human being I ever met,” said bestselling author Susan Conroy, addressing Priority List members who packed Monarch Landing’s Welcome Center on Friday, April 7.

“She used to say ‘I’m just a pencil in the hand of God. If you like the handwriting, don’t thank the pencil.’”

Conroy, author of Mother Theresa’s Lessons of Love and Secrets of Sanctity, traveled all the way to Monarch Landing from her home in Maine to talk  about her work with Mother Theresa, and to share her personal memories of the woman she calls a “great light.”

Lessons of Love

As an idealistic young college student, Conroy journeyed to Calcutta, India to serve in one of Mother Theresa’s orphanages as well as her Home for the Dying.

Conroy admitted that nothing had prepared her for the extreme poverty she confronted there. Nor had Conroy anticipated that she would work so closely with Mother Theresa, who she described as very motherly and always smiling.

During her discussion, Conroy shared many of the lessons she had learned from her time working side by side with Mother Theresa.

“All you need to make a difference are hands to serve and a heart to love—and also a smile,” Conroy told her audience. “Mother Theresa used to say that we give most when we give with joy.”

One hundred percent of the author’s proceeds from Conroy’s bestselling book go

to charity.

Lessons of Inspiration

Conroy’s discussion struck a chord with Gene and Zeny N. of Romeoville.

“It was very inspirational,” said Zeny, who was excited to attend the exclusive event.

Zeny and Gene have been active in missionary work since 1980.


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Volunteering has always been and continues to be an enormous part of their lives. They’ve traveled around the world from Albania to Laos to help build churches and houses and to work in medical clinics. “Volunteering is so very fulfilling,” said Gene. Representatives from the local community were also in attendance. Linda Dolan is the leisure center director for the Wheaton Park District. “This talk was lovely and very inspiring. I so enjoyed it.”

Lessons to Act On

“We’re so pleased we could bring our Priority List members an event like this,’ said Linda Wylder, Monarch Landing’s director of resident life. “This is just one of the many educational opportunities we plan to bring to the community.”

Conroy’s special discussion was sponsored by Monarch Landing’s Center for Continuous Learning.

According to Linda, many Priority List members are currently active volunteers. At Monarch Landing, they will find additional opportunities to make a difference in the local community.

Conroy encouraged that spirit of giving and volunteerism, recounting an anecdote in which Mother Theresa encouraged an eager American volunteer to stay in her own community rather than travel to Calcutta.

“Mother Theresa said to do everyday things with extraordinary love,” Conroy explained. “Blossom where you’re planted. You don’t have to go to a far off country to help.”

She ended with a call to action, quoting one of her favorite lessons from Mother Theresa. “It’s amazing what power we have to help and comfort. Alone we can do nothing, but together we can do something beautiful for God.”

For more information on the wealth of educational, spiritual, and social opportunities at Monarch Landing, call 1-800-721-0102 to schedule your free personal tour of Monarch Landing’s model apartment home, and meet with Retirement Counselor Constance Barber.



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