We Have Rounded the Corner

It is hard to believe that our students are already on Fall Break here at Michigan Tech. It seems like a blink of the eye since our Fall Retreat at the end of October. The Fall retreat was wonderful with this year’s theme, “The Father’s Merciful Love”. We had wonderful small group discussions, times for prayer, and opportunities to take a break, including hiking and karaoke. This Fall’s hike was uneventful except that some people decided to take a swim or two while it was 40 degrees out. Ok, I may have been one of the ones for the two times. And it was not so much of a swim as a good way to wash clothes when you are on the go. And I was not the only one. Sometimes you just have to laugh at these moments. In community, we had some fun times together and moments of learning as well. Last month was the annual Life Outreach dinner for the Life Outreach Center in Hancock, MI. This is their annual fundraising dinner for their center, and the Knights of Columbus are generous enough to cook a wonderful meal, and there was plenty of student help throughout the night. This year, the keynote speaker was Jennifer VanRyckeghem. “Jennifer has a personal story that speaks to many. She understands physical and emotional abuse, having had an abortion, being angry, depressed, and despairing of life. Knowing how hard life can be, enables her to never confuse behaviors and choices with someone’s worth. She is an Executive Director at a PRC, promoting healing to those who have suffered reproductive loss. Jennifer wishes to bring hope to others through all she says and does. Jennifer and her husband Bill have 6 children.” Sister Jackie also came back to Chassell/Houghton for a visit to say her official goodbyes to everyone since she was elected to the Administration at this past summer’s Chapter. The students and families were excited to have her come back for a chance to officially see her off. The Senior girls from Saint Al’s prepared a nice dinner, and we had a lot of fun telling stories and playing games. This also gave a chance for the girls to get to know more about Sr. Maria Goretti. It was nice to have Sister Jackie and Sister Marcelyn and to have the 5 of us together for a short time. This year for my birthday, I wanted to bring back the “adventure” or some type of experience on my birthday to share with the community. So I heard about a corn maze at a local farm and of course, we had to go. This was at the Palosaari farm, and how great was their set up there. It is so family-friendly. We had our fun locating all of the questions we had to find and answer. We may have been lost more then once. But you know if you are really lost, you can just start walking through the corn. It did not come to that, thankfully. God was with us. 😊 We enjoyed a hayride and had a chance to enjoy the beautiful Fall leaves. We were then greeted by two skeletons having tea at a table in the middle of the field. We also found Geese that the Motherhouse would appreciate. Fake ones! Ha! Sister Linda and I then challenged some parishioner kiddos to a pedal kart race. I did have a little boy ask me if adults were supposed to be on the karts, and I shared of course, because we are all kids at heart, and we did fit. We were blessed to receive sunflowers from a kind couple who thanked us for being out and around the community. I had a chance to help out with the Diocese Youth Encounter retreat again this year in Iron Mountain. This type of retreat is similar to a Kairos retreat. We had about 30 candidates (1^st time retreatants) and about 15 Youth helping to run the retreat. Then we had adults as well to support the weekend. This is the third time I am helping with this retreat. I really enjoy seeing how the teens first arrive and then how many of them transform and become more outgoing when they leave. It is great to hear some of their stories and to just have a chance to be there for them. Of course, the talks, prayer, games, and food are all wonderful. There is so much work put into the weekend. It is really nice that on the last day there is a vocation panel which I had a chance to be on. It is great to hear what the others have to share about their vocation as a priest, single, or married couple, and I shared about being a religious. I also found out what happens when your car breaks down 20miles from the retreat. At least it was before the retreat and I was coming early to help set up. First, the U.P. may have a lot of wilderness, but I did realize that there were a lot of cars that passed by as I waited for my tow truck. Yes, I did have cell reception. I was also reminded of how we support one another. The priests involved in the retreat were so helpful with helping to pick me up, giving me an extra night in the hotel, and even driving me to the airport so I could get a rental car. You never know when things are going to happen and I feel truly blessed to be able to ask for help and be able to receive what is needed. This upcoming week is Thanksgiving, and we look forward to what is to come as we have been invited over to a parishioner’s home. We might even check out some of the local winter activities and Christmas festivals in the area. This year, I have been focusing on many different things to improve on in community life. One is to find some activities that the three of us in the community can enjoy together. We may be of different abilities and have different interests, but we can find those times of common joy. It is even sometimes in the small moments. And we all keep trying to work and build up community life. Is it perfect? No. But we have to work together to get to know one another and also to continue to work on communication. Just one step at a time. Thanksgiving is a moment to reflect upon the incredible people who touch our lives. Who are those people in your life? Maybe send them a note or message. Wishing you a holiday filled with the warmth of family and friends, the joy of harvest, and the laughter of good times. To see updated Pics, go to www.facebook.com/catherine.logan.121 Check out my July 2025 interview with Fr. Kyle from Colorado Springs - https://thesummitwithfatherkyleingels.podbean.com/e/the-summit-episode-44-guest-sister-catherine-peter-logan/ Prayer Requests: -All Sisters in Formation with the FSCC and for Barbara who will be entering this August 2026 and for all Sisters in Formation. -For those discerning religious/consecrated life, diaconate, and priesthood. -FOCUS Missionaries -The FSCC and all Religious/Consecrated Men and Women and all Seminarians *Please let me know if you have any prayer requests that we can add to our prayer intention list.