Sister Lucy Whalen, Medical Mission Sister at Holy Family Hospital, left Atlanta Nov. 15 for Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Sister Lucy received this new assignment when the Medical Mission Sisters envisioned beginning a Center for Christian Life in Venezuela.

The center will be developed around the idea that young people need opportunities to foster their own appreciation of Gospel values, as well as in-depth preparation for living a truly human and Christian life. Out of such an environment it is hoped that a more enlightened vocational choice will evolve.

At present, the center is a seed yet unplanted. The idea is flexible and open-ended and will begin to take shape only after a long-term evaluation of the needs in the area; for this reason Sister Lucy has spent a good bit of time in the last year, in travel, study and general preparation, with the Christian Life Centers in major cities in this country- the chief focus of her research.

The center concept is a fairly new one and often includes the availability of resource people in current theology, Liturgy and pastoral counseling. Retreats, prayer experiences, discussion of social issues are some of the possibilities, with requests initiated by the young people of the community.

During her two year stay in Atlanta, Sister Lucy worked as a staff nurse at Holy Family Hospital, which is under the sponsorship of the Medical Mission Sisters. In addition to her full-time duties there, Sister Lucy has been actively involved in the Folk Liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the King.