Graced Moments is a reflection series in which members of the Holy Child family share experiences of God’s presence and action in their lives. Launched in 2024 with reflections from Holy Child Sisters, the series expands in 2026 to celebrate the launch of the Holy Child Collaborative, welcoming voices from Holy Child Associates, schools, ministries, staff, alumni, and friends.
This month, we are delighted to share a reflection from Barbara D’Angeli, a cook at Holy Child Center, on a favorite Holy Child value.
Thank you, Barbara!
Click the audio player to listen to Barbara read her
reflection or see the text below. Enjoy!
“It is in those small, everyday moments that I see and feel their gratitude …
and that gratitude gives me passion or zeal to go beyond simply preparing a meal.”
– Barbara D’Angeli, Holy Child Center Cook
Of all the Holy Child values, passion — or zeal – is a favorite of mine. It is a word that carries warmth, energy, and purpose, and I feel it every single day I come to work.
The moment I walk through the doors of Holy Child Center, the Sisters, who are like family to me, light up when they see me. Their greetings are genuine and full of life. They want to know everything: How did I spend my days off? How are my boys doing? Did I try any new recipes? How did I prepare a meal they especially enjoyed?
Their joy becomes my joy.
It is in those small, everyday moments that I see and feel their gratitude. I see it in their faces, in the way they pause to ask, to listen, to care. And that gratitude gives me passion or zeal to go beyond simply preparing a meal. It inspires me to put love into every dish, to think carefully about what will bring comfort, nourishment, and a little delight to the people who call this place home. Because that is exactly what Holy Child Center is — a home. And Sisters deserve to feel that in every corner of it, including at the table.
When I know that my work contributes to making their home a loving, peaceful place to live, I feel a passion to do my best.
What in Barbara’s graced moment resonated with you? Please share below.
Barbara, your graced moment nurtured a warmth and appreciation for all the you do in preparing the meals at Holy child Center. It also gave me a greater appreciation for you and for the love that you give to our sisters.
Being with Barbara brings joy = shared grace.
This made me so happy. Happy and grateful that someone like you, Barbara, is bringing such joy and light to the Holy Child Center. Angels often walk this earth and don’t even know they are angels!
This left me with profound gratitude for Barbara’s ministry of hospitality. Recognizing that this our sisters’ home is so important.
Bless you Barbara.
Dear Barbara was one of the special friends at Holy Child Center who reached out to me when I first arrived.
She was welcoming and fun with a special twinkle in her eye, in addition to her being an excellent cook! What Barbara describes she receives in her work and life at Holy Child Center is exactly what I feel in my encounters with her. A loving joy and zeal with a twinkle in her eye! We are all blessed to have her with us!
Barbara, you have blessed Holy Child Center with your creative culinary skills and joyful graciousness. Thank you for all you are and do.
Dear Barbara, thank you for this lovely reflection. When I come for dinner on Sundays, you are putting that passion into action! Thank you for being there for us and bringing such passion to our lives.
Inspiring and marvelous and saintly…not unexpected if you know her. Love is really what it is all about. She lives it. CF L
Thank you , Barb, for the gift 🎁 you are to all of us! Yes, you have a passion! And we are grateful for you!
“It inspires me to put love into every dish”
This is amazing. Thank you
Barbara’s reflection represents the best of Incarnational spirituality. God is present in everything, including a lovingly cooked meal!
Thank you, Barbara, for your graced reflection! And thank you for all you contribute to the joy of our home! Whenever I visit HCC, I appreciate the contagious love and joy you share!
Absolutely true!!! One can really do nothing very well without passion or zest.
Barbara is a wonderful, joyful person who gives 110% to all she does for the sisters at Holy Child. She gets to work early, gets the dining room ready for breakfast and then prepares something special for the sisters to eat. She knows everyone’s favorite meal and makes sure one has what they ordered for their birthday dinner. In addition to cooking for the sisters, she makes sure the dining room is decorated for each feast or holiday. For example, on the Feast of St. Joseph, Barbara gave a presentation on why Italians love St. Joseph. Then she gave us Italian cookies and a prayer card to the Sleeping St. Joseph. She feels our love and gratitude because she shares that love and gratitude with each sister.
Thanks Barbara, for your lovely reflection. You are an inspiration to us at New Sharon. Thank you for all that you do to make our dining room a caring home for us with delicious meals three times day! We are blessed to have you here!
I’m interested in the fact that the sister’s gratitude and care about the lives of their workers is so rewarding. I’m a H C alum and this care and interest doesn’t surprise me. They, Holy Child nuns are wonderful women.