Renovations at Abba House in Albany go beyond the physical

In the year since Sister Rosemary Sgroi, RSM, took the reins at Abba House of Prayer in Albany, she has overseen renovations, new programs and fundraising efforts.

Now she is looking toward the future with hope -- and planning a major fundraiser.

Last summer, she recalled, was "a nightmare." After 30-odd years of use, Abba House, a 15-room home on Western Avenue, needed sprucing up. Sister Rosemary started her tenure as director by painting, pulling up old carpeting to find oak floors underneath and putting up new curtains.

Place of prayer

That done, she worked on the programming side of things. Abba House had been founded during a post-Vatican II interest in retreats and spiritual programs, but attendance has been dwindling for years. Sister Rosemary wanted to create some "really substantial spiritual enrichment."

Abba House's motto became "Embracing Prayer, Peace and People of All Faiths." A presentation on spirituality and laughter, given by Sister Anne Bryan Smollin, CSJ, of the diocesan Counseling for Laity Office, was one of the first new programs.

Attendees were given a survey on what they wanted to see at Abba House. At the top of the list were spiritual enrichment, prayer experiences and Scripture study.

New twist

Since Abba House already had a long history of holding Bible-study groups, Sister Rosemary gave that a new twist: She invited Sister Ellen Boyle, RSM, from the continuing education department at Maria College, and Sister Barbara Quinn, a new member of the Sisters of Mercy, to lead the groups.

Instead of simply studying Scripture, the focus of the sessions turned toward faith-sharing. Participants took time for prayer as they read and discussed the insights that resulted.

A Lenten series was next on the agenda. Sessions covered topics like "embracing your shadow side," prayer and identifying addictions. Sister Rosemary was encouraged by the good attendance at the series -- about 19 people at each session.

"I was very proud and very happy so many people were finding out about the house," she told The Evangelist. "A year ago, I said I so much believe in the mission of the house that I will do my very best to see it continue. I think we have a very good start."

(Sister Rosemary is anticipating "Celebrating Abba House," a Sept. 18 fundraiser. The $50-a-ticket event will include hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and live music in the house's backyard. She hopes to raise enough money to continue programming like an upcoming series on spirituality and the arts, and to host more overnight retreats and evenings of prayer. For information on programs or the fundraiser, call 438-8320 or email [email protected]. Abba House's fall calendar includes "The Sorrows of Mary," led by Sister Margaret Straney; "A Celebration of Life" with Rev. Gary Gelfenbien of St. James parish in Chatham; and "Angels Among Us" with Rev. Patrick Butler of Christ the King parish, Westmere. A series on spirituality and the arts begins in October.)

(8/28/03) [[In-content Ad]]