The weekend started with an early arriver, who
flew in on Thursday from Albuquerque, New Mexico and joined the Sisters for
evening prayer and supper. After supper
the two of us attended a presentation entitled Armor of Light at Dominican Center Marywood. On Friday she helped me get last minute
preparations for the weekend – setting up the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids
banner, C&S Reserved signs, etc., while getting a quick tour of Marywood. She even had time to take a quick tour to Aquinas
College with Sister Doris Faber.
Friday night we met in the DCM chapel lobby for
introductions, followed by Compline
in the Meditation Chapel. We even chanted
the Salve Regina! Afterwards we continued our conversations at
Ratisbon with a late snack before retiring to our rooms. The weekend offered the women time for prayer,
study, recreation, story sharing, touring, and of course, getting to be around
many of our Sisters at Marywood. The
presentations throughout the day were focused on the Four Dominican Pillars, which
were presented by several of our Sisters – who live on and off campus. The Sisters at Marywood were assigned seats
at the table during the noon meal at Ratisbon, while Sisters living in the Grand
Rapids area were invited to eat with the participants at Sunday’s brunch after
Liturgy. The women, as well as Sister
Ann Mason and I, ate with the Sisters at Aquinata Hall on Saturday
evening. This gave the women an
opportunity to meet and chat with several of our Sisters.
Saturday was a packed day, and I assumed they
were probably tired. I know I was! …but it was a good day, and after night
prayer we had an engaging conversation – in which I received some positive
feedback about the day. During my
morning session we were already running behind schedule and did not get a
chance to completely view a documentary DVD (entitled Sisters), and to my amazement, they chose to view it together (on
their own) before they retired that evening.
Such energy!
We wrapped up the weekend on Sunday with a brief
tour of Marywood Health Center, Morning Prayer and Liturgy with our Sisters and
Sunday Assembly, followed by brunch. Our
participant from New Mexico had a later flight, so she spent some time with our
Sisters at Aquinata Hall.
The weekend schedule was full, which included
many conversations, presentations, laughter, recreation, prayer, Liturgy… and I
owe the positive feedback to the prayer, participation and support of all
our Sisters!
Below are some pictures of the weekend:
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