Kitty Stickley was the fifth of nine children. She was born and raised in Mt. Adams which just happened to be a short walk to Florence Ave., home of the original Little Sisters of the Poor in Cincinnati. She explains how she used to walk to the home with her Mother, through Eden Park and how she remembers the St. Joseph statue outside that Home.
It wasn’t until 2009 when she moved into the current Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor that she grew in her knowledge of Jeanne Jugan.
Kitty explains how she has goosebumps to this day thinking about how she moved into the Home a few months before St. Jeanne Jugan was canonized and she was honored to be able to watch it live here that year. August 30 is the feast day of our foundress, St. Jeanne Jugan, and Kitty explains the excitement of our celebration this year:
“The feast day began in our chapel at 11 a.m. Mass by Archbishop Schnurr. It was a dear Mass with a song program, a portrait of Jeanne Jugan, and a beautiful bouquet of flowers next to her.
“The celebration continued with a Feast Day Party in the auditorium. We all enjoyed it very much, singing and dancing to Jeanine Hong’s band. They traveled here for us from Indianapolis. It was a lovely day and I believe great times were had by all. I want to say thank you to all those who helped in planning for that day.”
Dear Jeanne Jugan,
I know my feelings for you, and I love you, and your life. Such a blessing you are to all. Losing your father, when you were a child; going to housekeeping and working. A young man wanted to marry you but you said “God was calling you for some work,” and here you are with us. Thank you St. Jeanne Jugan because years later you found a homeless, blind lady, took her in, and gave her your bed. This was the beginning of you caring for others, and having a following of other caregivers. So loveable and humble you are. Thank you, our foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor.
With Love,
Kitty
The Importance of St. Jeanne Jugan