Mary Gene (Antonilla) Kinney, BVM Receives Award

BVMs Letitia Close (l.) and Mary Gene Kinney (2008)

Mary Gene (Antonilla) Kinney, BVM received the Sister Letitia Close Award at the 64th annual Detroit Bishop’s Dinner, held Oct. 11 in Lathrup Village, Mich.

The award recognizes efforts in helping women affected by the disease of addiction. The award, named after Mary Gene’s dear friend and colleague, Letitia (St. Noel) Close, BVM, recognizes efforts in helping women affected by the disease of addiction.

Mary Gene and Letitia co-founded and co-directed the Inter-Congregational Addictions Program (ICAP), which helps congregations in 31 states and the province of Ontario intervene, find treatment resources, and support aftercare for chemically dependent sisters. Mary Gene and Letitia started the program in the late 1970s to create an outreach service to chemically dependent Roman Catholic sisters.

BVM Congregation Vice President Kate Hendel attended the dinner and accepted the award on Mary Gene’s behalf. In the acceptance speech Kate shares, “The woman we honor tonight is a sister, friend, and mentor to so many of us gathered here . . . When I asked Mary Gene what she would like to say, she said, ‘I’ll keep it brief.’”

Mary Gene reflects, “I am deeply honored to be remembered and thought of in this fashion. Doing the work has brought me great joy and happiness. I have received much more than I have given. Special thanks to my friends and colleagues at Guest House and all who made this possible. Thank you.”

Kate concludes, “It is difficult to find the words that describe the gift that Mary Gene has been to those gathered here, throughout the country and around the world . . . she has been a refuge for many women religious and others suffering with addictions. She has nurtured those in recovery when their fire was all but gone, she has been the faithful sprig of rosemary making those welcomed calls in aftercare, she has become a sanctuary where so many are comforted, feel safe, and experience Holy Mystery anew. So with deep gratitude, I say ‘thank you’ to and for the gift of grace we know as Mary Gene Kinney, BVM.”

Mary Gene and Letitia have both retired from their day to day roles with ICAP, however they have continued to volunteer and mentor. ICAP continues to “walk and work with sisters to initiate and sustain recovery.” The purpose of ICAP is to enhance and strengthen the 12-Step recovery program by inviting participants to network, connect, link-up, access, affiliate, or fellowship with other women religious who are also recovering from an addiction. ICAP is the network of sisters recovering by working 12-Step programs. We choose to network in order to strengthen (not replace) 12-Step recovery programs. To learn more, visit: www.icaptoday.org.