“This was like walking in the footprints of Jesus and Frances.”
Sisters Barbara DeStefano, Barbara Brown and Anita Kuchera — along with lay Associate Karen Assetto — help make 80 sandwiches for those served by Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering.
A Labor of Love for the Lehigh Valley
When Sisters Virginelle Makos and Regina Ann Rokosny took part in the 2025 CROP Hunger Walk in Bethlehem, Pa., last fall, they were moved by the coming together of neighbors to raise much-needed funds for emergency food and resources in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley.
Sister Virginelle Makos (right) was grateful for the help of Rose Oberly, a nurse who cares for the Sisters in Villa Clare, in packing everything for delivery to BES.
They were especially inspired by one particular stop they made along their 2.5-mile journey that day — a visit to Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering (BES) at Christ UCC Church — where walk participants witnessed the very real impact the program is making among those in need.
“CROP Walk exposed Regina and I to the wonderful love for the unhoused offered at BES,” says Sister Virginelle. “They had a hot meal every night. They had an opportunity for showers. They had a bed to sleep in. There are good people in the world.”
Volunteer Rose Oberly (left) works alongside Sisters Loretta Motko, Marguerite Stewart, Irene Novak and Marie Therese Sherwood to package sandwiches for those in need.
When the Sisters learned that BES serves at least 80 lunches every Saturday and Sunday with the help of volunteers, they embraced the opportunity to get involved. “The Sisters were excited because they had a chance to really do something, especially the retired Sisters who live in Villa Clare,” says Sister Virginelle. “This was something they could do.”
With their own monthly budgets, donations from a few benefactors, and advice from a friend in the food industry, the Sisters set about purchasing the supplies — everything from bread and luncheon meats to condiments and packaging — to prepare the lunches.
Then they got busy, working at various stations set up in the White House residence at Monocacy Manor — making sandwiches; adding water, fruit and crackers; packing the lunch bags; and preparing everything for delivery to BES on January 23.
“I appreciated this unique opportunity and means by which to help feed the hungry,” says Sister Irene Novak.
The whole thing was truly a team effort, stirring the spirits of the Sisters, all who felt blessed by the opportunity to do God’s work. They were joined in this labor of love by a few lay Associates, and one of the Sisters’ caregivers even helped to deliver the lunches. They will do it all again on May 31, the next day available day that BES was not blessed by volunteers.
“I felt a beautiful joy and happiness when we were preparing food for the poor,” says Sister Anita Kuchera. “This was like walking in the footprints of Jesus and Francis.”
“As I helped in making lunches for the poor, I was reminded that I never had to go hungry. We must pray for the less fortunate and for our generous donors.”
Sisters Regina Ann Rokosny and Xavier Bomberger arrange luncheon meats for sandwich-making at Monocacy Manor on January 23.
Sister Rosaria Shina organizes sandwiches and condiment packs, as the Sisters at Monocacy Manor prepared 80 lunches for the unhoused on January 23.