Summer Splash Refreshes Hearts

Moms and daughters and School Sisters of Notre Dame “splashed” into summer with a weekend of activities and prayer at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Mankato, Minnesota June 21-22, 2013. Sisters Joyce Kolbert and Mary Beth Schraml coordinated the weekend’s activities for 21 moms, 25 daughters, ages 12-19 and 20 sisters who volunteered. Participants strengthened their connections with one another and got a glimpse into the School Sisters lives. Volunteers served as greeters, led craft workshops and guided prayer services. Sister Raquel Ortez made a presentation on School Sisters around the world and Sister Mary Beth shared information about Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger. Forty-five percent of the girls had not met a sister before coming.

One mother commented on the value of “visiting with the sisters and learning new things in the workshops.” “Being away from distractions, being with Mom, meeting and seeing the sisters” was what one daughter experienced. The event was a great support for the moms who had the opportunity to share parenting insights while the daughters understood the reasons moms do what they do. How do you refresh your heart? Who do you want to spend time with to reconnect?

Adapted from an article by Sisters Mary Swanson and Raquel Ortez, members of the Vocation Team