Our Wonder Woman of the day today is Sister Nora Brick, a Franciscan Sister, who in 1995 founded The Project Light Literacy Center and in 2000 the Stillpoint House of Prayer here in Bradenton.  Her mission was to alleviate poverty and help provide for the basic needs of daily life for the poor and migrant communities in Bradenton.

Sister Nora was well known in Bradenton for her tireless efforts and in 2007 Manatee County and the City of Bradenton both declared Sister Nora Brick Day to commemorate her tireless efforts.

Sister Nora recently celebrated her 86th birthday and is now retired, residing at the Franciscan Retirement Center in Tenafly NJ; but her work continues today.  The mission continues to provide food, clothing, diapers, and assistance with bills to approximately 130 needy persons twice a week and is staffed with over 50 volunteers from a variety of churches and groups. Just as Sister Nora established from the outset, no one is charged for what is distributed.

A number of the current volunteers had the privilege of working with Sister Nora and watched her live a life dedicated to the poor.  The current leader of the mission is Jeff Belvo and the mission is open for assistance Monday and Friday from 9 – 11:30 am.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”  Mt. 7:13