There was a pleasantly insistent buzz in John Hancock Financial’s stunning fourth floor atrium last Thursday evening. It was a gala crowd of South Boston’s staunchest supporters. Everyone anticipated the service award, to be conferred upon Sr. Maryadele Robinson, as she approaches her 30th year at South Boston’s Laboure Center. Fr. Joe White asked for a blessing, “Lord God of All Creation.” And how rare is applause after a benediction? Well, it happened at the Laboure Center’s Spring Reception last Thursday.
Without the slightest exaggeration, a glorious spirit pervaded the crowd of guests and the very air all around them. Bob Kelly, the chair of Laboure’s advisory board, emceed the fete; his first speaker, Catholic Charities President Deborah Rambo, extolled Sr. Maryadele’s record of loving accomplishment at Laboure. Mayor Marty Walsh and Lorrie Higgins served as the spring events co-chairs. Walsh spoke about his early ambition to get into politics, and realized that Sr. Maryadele had gotten there ahead of him when he first met her. He concluded his remarks by saying, “We love you, Sister; I wouldn’t miss this evening for the world.”
Cardinal Sean then took the lectern, and with Patrick Shaughnessy, the grandson of Jack and Mary Shaughnessy, presented Sr. Maryadele with her Jack Shaughnessy 2016 Service Award. In her own remarks, Sr. Maryadele graciously attributed her success to three groups: the Laboure staff, the Laboure advisory board, and a group of sisters who were honored guests at the spring reception and who had spent 360 total years in service. Among them was Sr. Evelyn Hurley who had just celebrated her 101st birthday. Sr. Maryadele went on to describe Jack Shaughnessy, who not only shared his earnings but also was a man who had boundless compassion for others.
Helen Allis spoke of how Sr. Maryadele had become the “Mother Teresa of South Boston,” and Judy Swanson received a spring bouquet as a thank you for her behind-the-scenes efforts on the 2016 reception. The evening concluded with an auction skillfully conducted by Tom Tinlin, which led off with two lunches with the mayor, and ended with two Italian dinners prepared from scratch by South Boston’s Papa George LoCascio.
Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Sr. Maryadele Robinson, Cardinal Sean O’Malley, and Deborah Rambo, president of Catholic Charities. (Photo by Rick Winterson)
Sr. Evelyn Hurley (in her 102nd year) and Elaine Fallon, guests at Thursday’s Laboure Reception. (Photo by Rick Winterson)
Fr. Joe White asks for a blessing as the 2016 Laboure fundraiser opens its evening. (Photo by Rick Winterson)
Mayor Marty Walsh and Lorrie Higgins, the co-chairs of the 2016 Laboure fundraiser. (Photo by Rick Winterson)
Mayor Marty Walsh, Sr. Peggy Youngclaus, Lorrie Higgins, and Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry enjoying the Laboure festivities. (Photo by Rick Winterson)
Mayor Marty Walsh (at lectern) praises awardee Sr. Maryadele Robinson in the John Hancock atrium. (Photo by Rick Winterson)
Sr. Maryadele Robinson receives a Dan McCole watercolor from Patrick Shaughnessy, as Cardinal Sean O’Malley looks on. (Photo by Rick Winterson)
Helen Allix (at lectern) calls Sr. Maryadele Robinson the “Mother Teresa of South Boston.” (Photo by Rick Winterson)
Auctioneer Tom Tinlin auctions off mayoral lunches with Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. (Photo by Rick Winterson)
Sr. Maryadele Robinson’s beautiful family drove all the way from Tennessee to see her receive her award. (Photo by Rick Winterson)
Judy Swanson, the unsung heroine of the Laboure Spring Reception, with her bouquet. (Photo by Rick Winterson)
