Sister Maria Delaney SND Honored

BOSTON/South Boston - With the support of over 200 members of its extended family, Notre Dame Education Center raised more than $36,000 for its adult education programs, far-exceeding the original goal set for this first-time event.

The Hope Alive! Dinner and Recognition Ceremony was held on April 16th at The Lantana in Randolph. Board Chairman, Charles R. Shediac, summed up the evening in his opening remarks by telling guests that this first-time event is “a celebration of our mission…a celebration of our faculty, staff, students and volunteers and a celebration of our Board members and special friends who have had a dramatic impact on the vision of NDEC.”

Mayor Thomas Menino and his wife Angela were the Co-Chairpersons for the event. While introducing the Mayor, NDEC Executive Director, Anne Metrick, remarked, “Tom has been a good friend to Notre Dame Education Center as well as a big proponent of the importance of adult education in our communities.”

A figure on Boston television for nearly forty years and a friend of NDEC, Peter Mehegan handled the role as Master of Ceremonies for the event. Peter’s son-in-law is a former ESOL student.

The evening’s celebration included the presentation of four first-time awards. Sister Maria Delaney SND was presented with the NDEC Board of Directors’ Award. Sister Maria was recognized for her outstanding leadership and persistence in her role as the first Executive Director for the Center. Sister Patricia McSharry SND presented the Sisters of Notre Dame Founders’ Award to NDEC Board members Ted Daiber, Dick Horan, Marie McDonald SND, Martin McDonough, Anne Metrick, Elizabeth Michaels SND, Hank Mulhern, Mary Ryan SND, and Charles Shediac. These members took charge of the sale of the aging property at West Broadway as well as the location and renovation of the Center’s new location at 200 Old Colony Avenue.

Anne presented the Notre Dame Education Center Spirit Award to Sisters Mary Clancy and Bridget O’Connor SND. Sister Mary has been with the Center since its inception in 1992. Sister Bridget joined the staff in1993. Anne remarked, “Together they have always been there for the smallest need as well as the larger tasks. They can be counted among the first respondents to any request for help.”

Anne Metrick and Jack Shaughnessy presented Sister Maryadele Robinson, Director of the Laboure Center, with the Mary Shaughnessy Inspiration Award which was created in memory of Jack’s wife. Mary was an active board member at NDEC from 1999 to 2005. It is only fitting that Sister Maryadele, who has been serving for over twenty years in the South Boston community and has greatly impacted the lives of so many, is being presented with this most prestigious award. Jack Shaughnessy and his family generously supported the Hope Alive event.

The Hope Alive event featured two student speakers, Henok Mehari and Marie Petit-Frere. Henok, a former NDEC student, was in the Adult Diploma Program. He escaped from oppression in Eritrea (Ethiopia) and these extreme circumstances only served to strengthen his will and determination to make life better for himself through education. When asked what she remembered most about Henok as a student, his teacher, Sister LaSalette Ouellett SBS, remarked, “There was no challenge that appeared too great for him to take on.” Henok is now a first year student at Brandeis University.

Marie, who arrived in the US from Haiti over five years ago, is a single mother who understands the importance of an education in order to make a better life for herself and her daughter, Sophia. With the guidance of NDEC staff, Marie is beginning to master the English language, giving her some new found freedoms.

The Hope Alive celebration was capped off with a wonderful inspirational speech made by Boston’s own Liz Walker. Liz who spoke about the need for us to give unconditionally of our hearts. She encouraged guests to approach connecting with organizations such as Notre Dame Education Center in such a manner.

NDEC’s Second Annual Hope Alive! Dinner and Recognition Ceremony is planned for April 29, 2010. Friends of NDEC who attended this year’s event or who could not attend but feel connected in some way, are encouraged to contact the NDEC Advancement Office at 617-268-1912 x248 for more information or to volunteer.