As the people exit Chapel, they were given a copy of a $20 bill a picture of our front sign (Sisters of the Divine Redeemer) featured in the middle. These would be collected at the entrance of the dining room by "Levi", the tax collector in the Gospels. When all the "money" was collected, "Jesus" appeared at the entrance of the dining room, and called "Levi", who left his money bag on the table and followed "Jesus".
As all enjoyed meeting new frinds of re-connecting with old ones they also enjoyed the wonderful varienty of donuts (among the most popular: raspberry-jelly-filled; good-old-glazed, and maple-iced white cream filled).
A special part of the time together was listening to four Sisters answer several questions, prepared beforhead, about their life and Vocation. We share just a sample of these:
- When asked to share "something that others would be surprised to hear about you", Sister Anne responded, "For seven years, when I was a younger Sister, I enjoyed going horseback riding."
- When asked "what she liked about being a Sister", Sister Michaela responded, "I can pray for people to be saved and go to heaven."
- When asked to share an example of "something that was especially rewarding in her years of ministry", Sister Geraldine said, "It makes me so happy when I hear from my former students that I taught scores of years ago."
- To the same question, Sister Viannea shared, "I find much joy in seeing my patients smiling as they leave hospital, the same persons who arrived suffering from being sick.
Who inspired or supported you in your Vocation?
Since our three Slovak Sisters lived under Communism as they were preparing to become Sisters of the Divine Redeemer and profess their Vows, it was a unique and difficult experience. In order that the families would not incur some sort of "punishment" from the very atheistic regime, the candidates were told to proceed in secrecy, not even telling parents/family what they were doing.
Our guests at the breakfest found these personal accounts of religious suppression to be very troubling and asked questions to learn more form the Sisters.
In closing, we prayed a Vocation Prayer, thanking God for those already in Consecrated Life; asking that those being called today respond; and that we support them.
Before leaving, Sister Alojziana thanked those attending for their presence; for joining us for holy Mass on Sundays; and for being part of our "spiritual family".
