Once Over and Lightly

Essays and editorials from the diary of the Nun, Sister Mary Augustine, s.m.s.m., covering experiences, problems and events of everyday life. Your spirits will soar as you read of Sister’s insights into humanity, her perception of modern trends, and her helpful attitude in problems that plaque us all. It is like talking face to face with a caring and understanding friend. The Sergeant relates family activities in his early life, and later the unusual chain of events that led him to Lourdes. In an easy to read manner he takes you on a sensitive journey that had great spiritual impact on his life.

THE NUN: Sister Mary Augustine, a member of the Marist Missionary Sisters, was stationed at the leprosarium in Spanish Town, Jamaica, West Indies, during the World War II years. It was here she met Sergeant Howard E. Crouch during one of his visits when he brought a group of G.I.’s to entertain and provide joy to the 200 patients incarcerated there. Later, she was sent back to the United States with a possible brain tumor. After her recovery, she was assigned to promotional work for her community. Sister was the first moderator of the newly-formed Damien-Dutton Society for Leprosy Aid, founded by Sergeant Crouch in 1944. She became a member of its Board and finally a full collaborator in its apostolate.

THE SERGEANT: Howard E. Crouch, was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He was drafted in World War II and was sent as an Army Medic to the island of Jamaica, West Indies, where he became acquainted with victims of leprosy. His personal concern for the patients led to the founding of the Damien-Dutton Society for Leprosy Aid in 1944. The war years over, he resumed his education at Columbia University, earning two Masters Degrees in Administrative Medicine. Included among his many administrative assignments were positions at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, Veterans Administration, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York from which he recently retired after more than twenty years of service. During the later years he was on the faculty of Kennedy High School in Bellmore, New York, where he taught Advanced Placement Biology. Now working full-time as President of the Damien-Dutton Society, he and Sister Augustine received many Awards for their work toward t! he conquest of leprosy.