I graduated from Barat College in Lake Forest, Illinois, in 1981. A small Roman Catholic college named after Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, founder of the Society of the Sacred Heart.
The school was founded in 1858 and moved to Lake Forest in 1904. It became Barat College of DePaul University in 2001 and closed in 2005, after 101 years of educating many young women, among them Jane Margaret Byrne, former Mayor of Chicago, the first woman to be elected mayor of a major city in the United States.
I have many fond memories of my time at Barat College. It was there I found my passion for working with books. As part of my job at the library, I learned to repair old books. I set a long table on the stage at the old theater, surrounded by stacks of old prayer, text and literary books. I spent hours working alone in this sun filled hall, in majestic silence with the scent of old pages.
I was especially close to Sister Marguerite Green, my mentor and supervisor in the International Relations program. I visited her often at her private suite on the third floor, in the quaint red-brick building that was our school. We spent many hours talking about current affairs, Israel, religion, God and life. Sometimes I would arrive just as she finished her prayers, and she would say: “Yakira, I just finished praying to a Jewish Mother.” It always gave me goosebumps to hear her say that, for she understood the true connection we share as Jews and Christians.
After she passed away, I painted her and donated the two painting to the school, where they hung at the library until it was sold. I wish I could find them now–they are so very special to me!
I think of Sister Green often–she will forever live in my heart 💜
In memory of Sister Green, my dear teacher, a beautiful woman, I wish everyone Merry Christmas. May He who makes Peace in Heaven make Peace on Earth soon in our days. Amen. 🔯🌹✝
Painting N. 17 | Oil on Canvas 1998
“Ave Maria” https://lnkd.in/grM7pj_Z
