The NYC Area Mobile Ministry moved over 1,000 pounds of donated furniture across 3 states and 100 miles for the Sisters of Life.
Sr. Mary Casey, SV told the Ministry that the Sisters were welcome to a massive furniture donation—if only they could transport everything themselves. They would first have to leave NYC for the donation site in Tuxedo, NY, an hour away from the City. Then, the Sisters hoped to bring everything from the donation site to two locations: 1) their retreat center in Stamford, Connecticut and 2) back to New York City, to furnish their new convent and community center at the former Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Club on Lexington Avenue. Between the hours-apart destinations and the multiple bulky donations, the Sisters could only take everything they needed with the help of the NYC Area Mobile Ministry.
Eager to serve, Michael Smilek, KM, and Eric Vitale, KM, joined the Sisters at their Midtown convent. With a prayer for St. Christopher’s intercession, the Mobile Ministry and 2 of the Sister’s vans made their way to Tuxedo. There, the Sisters and Knights spent hours loading all kinds of furniture and appliances into the trucks and vans. Inside just the NYC Area Mobile Ministry truck, the Knights fit: an antique solid-wood dresser, 9 chairs, 2 lamps, 3 rugs, a desk, 2 tables, a washing machine, and a dryer.
The Knights drove from Tuxedo to Stamford on a 2-hour-long truck-friendly route. At the Sisters of Life retreat center in Stamford, Sr. Mary Casey and another Sister of Life stepped out from their superior’s meeting to help the Knights unload and store the donations.
After giving the Sisters their delivery, the Knights made their way back to Midtown for the Sister’s convent. There, the Knights unloaded the remaining furniture and appliances.
After 3 States, 1000 pounds of furniture, and 4 heavy lifts up and down a winding convent staircase, the Knights had finally completed the move. By the time the Mobile Ministry truck reached its parking spot, it was 9:30PM—a 14-hour day.
As the Knights left the Convent, Sr. Bethlehem presented them with a parting gift—a plate of homemade cookies, baked from a Sister’s recipe by one of the young mothers living in the Convent.
It is always a joy to work as sisters and brothers in Christ.
