The Story Behind Project Graduation
My name is Carol Raab Davis. I grew up here in Roseville
on North 5th Street. I was the fifth born in a family of eight children.
We did not consider ourselves poor, we just had less than some others.
I thought myself very fortunate when I would inherit a dress, I had admired
on my older sisters. I didn’t think of them as hand-me-downs, but rather
a sign that I was growing up. All eight of us were lucky enough to
have graduated from SRL. To us, St. Rose was more than just a church
and school. SRL was la second home. We could be found there most afternoons
and Saturdays at Scout meetings, going to play rehearsals, enjoying CYO dances
or practicing for the Lancers Drum and Bugle Corps.
Something wonderful happened to me when I was seven years old. Something,
that changed my thinking forever. A very kind and generous parishioner, Mary
Talbot, who had no children of her own, wanted to assist a child who was
making their First Holy Communion and could not afford a new dress. I
was chosen to be that lucky child. One
Saturday morning, Mary picked me up and off we went on our adventure. We
took the Subway to Downtown Newark to
Hahne & Co., a very exclusive department store. Sales
ladies carried dozens of dresses into the dressing room for us to look
at. Everyone was fussing over me. When we had picked out just the right dress,
then Mary added new lace-trimmed socks and white patent leather shoes. When
I was dressed from head to toe in my new outfit, I stood there looking in
the three way mirror twirling around with tears in my eyes. When Mary
asked why I was crying, I said “I am so happy because this is the very first
new dress of my very own, and I feel like a princess”. Mary was there on
the day of my First Holy Communion with a nosegay of white
carnations with one red rose in the center. The crowning moment was
when Mary placed the veil on my head. I could see my mother had tears of
pride and appreciation streaming down her cheeks
From that day, and for the rest of her life, Mary Talbot and I kept
in touch. When I was getting married, I invited Mary to share
my wedding day. On that day, I again stood there all in white carrying
a nosegay of white carnations with one red rose in the center... feeling
like a princess. When I was
coming down the aisle, I caught a glimpse of Mary. The sunlight was streaming
through a stained-glass window on her silver hair and it created a halo around
her head. At that moment I knew Mary was truly one of those angels
God sends into our lives. Wanting to repay Mary for all of her
kindnesses over the years, I asked, “ Mary, now that I am an adult, what
can I do for you”? Mary replied, “When the time is right, give
back by showing a kindness to another child.”
Six years ago, I began my journey to honor the promise I made to Mary,
“to give back to other children,” when I proposed
that we start this celebration of Project
Graduation. To my delight it has become an annual event looked forward to
by each graduating class. Thanks again Mary!
Dear Graduates of the Class of
2009,
I challenge you to pass on this kindness being shown to you today.
Begin now. Be a friend to someone who needs one. Be the source of support
and comfort, never the cause of pain by your words or actions.
Remember this day. Today, generous sponsors who don’t even know you
cared enough to reach out and give you this wonderful celebration.
Please keep in touch, we want to hear from you. God bless you and guide you.
Carol Raab Davis,
St Rose of Lima Class of 1960
Your Alumni website: www.srlaa.org .
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