Happy New Year! Ok, I do realize we are now in February. ;) It has been an interesting couple of months so now I feel I have enough to share with all of you. I celebrated my first Advent/Christmas/Christmas Season here at the convent. I was “under the weather” for a big part of December but that did not stop me from enjoying being here at the Motherhouse. I will admit that it was definitely a challenge as this was my Christmas to not be in Colorado or Utah or Ohio with family and friends. In the challenge was grace in revelation of this new life, Religious life, in which our Amazing God has me discerning at this time. I was with my “new family” this Christmas. I would think anyone could relate to the pull at your heart when there is more then one place to be over the Holidays but only one can be chosen. But with the one, you fully engage and soak in all that is through the time and experience. The traditions, the music, the gatherings and fun all encompass being present in the here and now and those you are with at that time. I do look forward to next year to more fully experience Christmas without an ailment.
After Christmas we had an amazing time as we headed down to St. Louis with the Yooper crew for SEEK 2023! Who is the Yooper crew? This was Michigan Tech, Northern, and Lake Superior State University led by our fearless leader Fr. Ben. 3 buses, 140ish of us all together I believe. Michelle (Our Postulant) and I joined this group including Sister Jacqueline and Sister Linda from our community. Sister Jacqueline serves as the Pastoral Associate Minister for Saint Albert the Great the Catholic parish at MichiganTech University with Fr. Ben and Fr. Tom. What is SEEK? SEEK is presented by FOCUS and it is geared towards the college and young adult population compared to Steubenville which is more for High School students. This year we had 17,000 people and there was daily Mass, Adoration, prayer, speakers, fellowship, music, and games.
This was my first time at an event of this size as I was an outward sign of consecration to Jesus, through our amazing Catholic church, as a habited Religious Sister in formation. There we so many Religious, Priests, and Seminarians present. By simply saying hello to the young adults, so many doors were opened to talk about faith, potential vocations, and life. To feel and see God working was truly a treasure of an experience like no other. I also enjoyed playing some Corn-hole which gave an opportunity for some friendly competition. There were so many great moments during the week. One of the great surprises was spotting Colorado Springs Seminarian Kevin and then having a chance to meet up with him and then with Colorado Springs Seminarian Anthony. Anthony introduced me to a group of girls from the softball team he chaplains. They then introduced me to the spike ball game which was a lot of fun. I have a long ways to go before I would be close to where all of them are at in their skill level. But challenge accepted. I also ran into Sister Linda who directs the Young adult ministry in Colorado Springs. How great to meet up with those from my hometown diocese and what are the odds in a crowd of 17,000. We also saw a couple of the priests and seminarians from the Green bay diocese. Green Bay seminarian Robert was kind enough to introduce himself to Michelle and I because he remembered seeing me at a recent Mass and lunch in Green Bay. Then he also introduced us to seminarian Nicholas. How great to see people when you least expect it and to meet new people and make connections especially when you are praying for them but never have a chance to really see them in person.
(Yooper Students, Marquette Diocese Seminiarian Zachary)
(Colorado Springs Diocese representing! Seminarian Anthony)
Michelle and Green bay Diocese Seminarian Robert
The highlights of the week were the daily Masses and Adoration. With 17,000 people you could probably hear a pin drop at times. There was a true reverence throughout the Liturgies and how wonderful to see the sea of priests and bishops. I could say so much more but this post would become too lengthy. Feel free to ask me any questions!
During Formation, each January you have a chance to visit one of our Missions if you are not already living at a Mission. After SEEK I traveled up to the Chassell Mission convent with Sister Jacqueline and Sister Linda. During the mission experience week I had a chance to spend time with each Sister to see a glimpse into their ministries. Sister Jacqueline showed me St. Al’s (St. Albert the Great student parish) at Michigan Tech and shared about her campus ministry work with Fr. Ben and Fr. Tom. It was wonderful to interact with students from the SEEK trip and to see so many new faces during Mass. We were able to help with the 1st night of the Ice Chapel build which was hard work but a lot of fun. Each year, “As part of Michigan Technological University's annual Winter Festival, a group of students, faculty, staff and members of St. Albert the Great University of Parish sculpt an entire chapel out of snow.” Imagine boards as walls and then shoveling snow inside the walls where other students stomp the snow down to pack it. Yes so we are talking about an area which gets a lot of snow. The pine trees and snow made me think of Colorado. So much fun. Side note, I finally had a chance to use my hockey skates on an indoor rink but sadly no hockey stick in sight. I do believe that a chance to mess around with ice hockey is going to happen.
(Helping with the 1st night of the ice chapel build)
(Ice Skating with Sr Hannah)
During the week I also headed down to L'Anse, Michigan with Sister Hannah to SacredHeart CatholicSchool, where she teaches a combined 1st & 2nd Grade. It was fun to watch the kiddos enthusiasm and excitement as they learned. Of course, my favorite time was recess, where we figured out ways to sled with six kiddos at once! I also had a chance to join Sister Linda for her weekly pastoral ministry work through visits and a group rosary at a couple of her nursing homes. During my mission week stay we enjoyed great meals, conversation, prayer, and ice skating. I only had a glimpse of parts of the ministries of the Chassell mission but I could see an impact each one of our Sisters is making as they allow God to work through them and their gifts and talents.
(Recess with the kiddos at Sacred Heart)
Now I am back in full swing at the Motherhouse in Manitowoc, WI with prayer, instructions, Bible timeline series, and my Moral Apologetics college course, violin lessons, cooking again in the kitchen, hanging out with those in formation and our Team and so much more. Last week was my first time snow shoeing and my first time cross country skiing. Both were a lot of fun and I hope to have more opportunities in the future and to convince a few other sisters to join me.
Alright, I pray that all is well with each one of you who are reading this blog post today. If you ever have questions or if you would like to hear about something in particular in regards to Religious life and the journey just let me know. And if prayers are needed pass them along. As always please pray for all Seminarians and Religious in formation and for new vocations but especially in the Colorado Springs, Denver, and Green Bay Diocese. Pax et Bonum! – Sister Catherine-Peter
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