Meaningful Service

Bring a few Ursuline Sisters and 7 alums of Ursuline schools across the USA to a HOPE-filled place, and you get a service experience filled with meaning and joy. Haven for Hope lists as its core values: radical compassion, servant leadership, hope and excellence.  We witnessed each of these and were amazed by so much goodness.  Click here for a short video showing a little of the beauty and grace of the week.

Continued Serviam in San Antonio

The last time you heard from us it was only our first day of serving, and here we are recapping our fourth day of service and feeling nostalgic about our last. The past few days we have worked in the garden, served in the kitchen, soul friend-ed in the court yard, and rode along on outreach. Making this service trip special was the spiritual and mental work that has impacted our lives as much as we hope to have impacted the lives of others.

Tuesday night Ashley whipped up chicken cutlets, mashed potatoes, corn, and a side serving of our guest visitor Sister Madeline, another Ursuline sister from San Antonio. Wednesday evening we explored the Mexican Market Place, and ate at the tourist attraction: Mi Tierra. The market was highly enjoyed by all, as we all came home with goodies. For some it was the first time experiencing authentic Mexican food, and it was tasty. Later in the evening a few adventurous souls headed to the River Walk, and floated and boated on the world famous boating tours. The string lights overhead accompanied by the comical commentary from our tour guide made the experience one of a kind.

Till next time…

Kayla, Lauren, & Kate

Mexican Market..

Working in the garden with the Master Gardener

Working in Vinny’s Bistro kitchen

Just before the Sound and Light show at the Cathedral..

San Antonio

God has brought young Ursuline alumnae and sisters together to serve those among the margins. Today was our first day coming together from all different Ursuline schools and communities from around the country. Arriving in Texas was a new experience for all of us and we didn’t know what to expect, especially the heat!

First, we arrived at Haven for Hope in the heart of downtown San Antonio. After arriving we were given the background of the facilities followed by a tour. While touring the campus we saw how the needs of all individuals were met to create a common good in the community of San Antonio. “Haven for Hope provides and coordinates an efficient system of care for men, women and children experiencing homelessness.” We found the social justice theme of solidarity among the core values throughout the campus. After learning about the fabulous service site, we visited the historical Ursuline Convent which is now Southwest School of Art. There we also had lunch in the Convent at a restaurant called the Copper Kitchen. We finished our first day sorting donated clothing and participating in art therapy with some of the members. God has immensely blessed us already and we can’t wait to seek God’s kingdom tomorrow.

Blessings and Love,

Nicole and Ashley

Helping organize the thrift shop for the members of Haven for Hope.

At the old Ursuline convent in San Antonio.

Just one of the wonderful murals outside Haven For Hope..

Pray for Refugees

Today is World Refugee Day. Did you know that every minute 24 people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution or terror? Join the global Ursuline community and people around the world #WithRefugees

I’ve met so many who have lost so much. But they never lose their dreams for their children or their desire to better our world. They ask for little in return—only our support in their time of greatest need.    -U.N. Secretary General, Antonio Guterres

 

 

 

 

Visits That Encourage

Back in the 1500’s, St. Angela urged her newly formed group of Ursulines to visit each other and encourage one another.  “Please go often,” she said.  I believe we do that well. On Saturday, I visited my former high school principal, Ursuline Sr. Mary Ann Luth, in the care center where she resides. She’s 97 now and facing health challenges, but we had a wonderful visit.  I came away personally encouraged and amazed as always at her expansive heart and interest in happenings around the world.

Yesterday, there was another visit. A Holy Spirit Sister who had attended one of our Ursuline schools in Jakarta, Indonesia, brought 3 young women to learn about the Ursulines. We love to share about Angela’s charism and how it is alive today. There were great questions and lots of lively conversation.

Angela brings people together. Peace-maker, gentle listener, steeped in the wisdom of God’s Spirit, she encouraged and brought joy to those she met in her lifetime.  We try to do the same today. It’s sure that the benefits are great, overflowing from one person to another.