Annual Thanksgiving Prayer Breakfast held despite SRA recommendations
Photo credit/ Bethany Wade
Sister Mary Persico addresses a crowd of staff, faculty, administration and guests at the annual Thanksgiving Prayer Breakfast
November 24, 2016
Students, faculty, staff, administrators and other community members gathered in the Upper Main Dining Hall for the president’s annual Thanksgiving Prayer Breakfast.
Despite recommendations from the Strategic Resource Allocation (SRA) process to cancel the breakfast, Marywood President Sr. Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D, chose to hold the event because it is “near and dear to the hearts of our people.”
“This is such an important event in terms of who we are,” Sr. Mary said in an interview with The Wood Word.
Sr. Catherine Luxner, IHM, director of Campus Ministry, welcomed guests to the breakfast and talked about the success of the Thanksgiving Adopt-a-Family drive.
Sister Catherine Luxner welcomes guest with a speech about services and an update on the Thanksgiving Adopt-a-Family drive.
Sr. Mary then addressed diners on the theme of gratitude.
“We need to keep giving more to people who need us,” Sr. Mary said in her remarks to the crowd.
She shared her love for those in attendance during her speech.
“Just be who you are and you are great,” she said.
After guests had the opportunity to converse and eat their breakfasts, the Marywood Chamber Singers performed.
Member of the Chamber Singers and Junior Music Therapy major Alyssa Zagoreos said the breakfast was a good way to show appreciation for community members.
“I think it’s a good way for all staff members to get together,” Zagoreos said.
The Marywood Chamber Singers performed a short collection of songs to the people present at the breakfast.
Renee Zehel, vice president for University Advancement, said the prayer breakfast is “the best tradition.”
“Sr. Mary’s welcome was deep, thoughtful and meaningful and it resonated with everyone in the room,” Zehel said.
Dr. Melinda Krokus, assistant professor of Religious Studies, talked about the togetherness of the breakfast.
“It’s a way for us to come together and be grateful,” Krokus said.
Mary Reggie, Human Resources assistant, also mentioned that the breakfast allows everyone to come together.
“It’s our favorite occasion here at Marywood,” Reggie said.
The Thanksgiving Prayer Breakfast concluded with a number of community members leading the crowded room in a variety of prayers.
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