One of my students asked me yesterday if I was going to see my family over Thanksgiving break - and was sad when I told her that I would be celebrating the holiday with my community.
I explained to her, as best I could, how close we are in community; that these times when we think of family and friends are particularly significant when we share them with the women with whom we have committed our lives to Christ.
I am not sure that I convinced her.
But as I sit here preparing for the feast and watching the young Sisters in my local community cooking, laughing, and doing all of the preparations for a "family gathering," I see the reality in all its splendor.
There's Sister M. Mercedes doing a Dominican Republic version of Italian Wedding Soup;
Sister M. Catherine converting heaps of donated Panera bread into her mother's stuffing (I am assured that it won't be quite as good as the real thing);
Sister Mary George making a Missouri Pumpkin Pie Cake;
and Sister M. Theresia conversing with a turkey too large for the pan.
And we expect our Sisters from Tulsa any minute.
Our families are in our hearts and prayers - and we share stories and laughter. But together we are one family in Christ.
That's a lot to be thankful for.
--submitted by Sister M. Luka; Kansas City in Kansas
I explained to her, as best I could, how close we are in community; that these times when we think of family and friends are particularly significant when we share them with the women with whom we have committed our lives to Christ.
I am not sure that I convinced her.
But as I sit here preparing for the feast and watching the young Sisters in my local community cooking, laughing, and doing all of the preparations for a "family gathering," I see the reality in all its splendor.
There's Sister M. Mercedes doing a Dominican Republic version of Italian Wedding Soup;
Sister M. Catherine converting heaps of donated Panera bread into her mother's stuffing (I am assured that it won't be quite as good as the real thing);
Sister Mary George making a Missouri Pumpkin Pie Cake;
and Sister M. Theresia conversing with a turkey too large for the pan.
And we expect our Sisters from Tulsa any minute.
Our families are in our hearts and prayers - and we share stories and laughter. But together we are one family in Christ.
That's a lot to be thankful for.
--submitted by Sister M. Luka; Kansas City in Kansas
Comments
I love it when you show us the daily life of living in community. It is such a witness of your vocational life and gives us a glimpse into the human side of your life. Thank you for sharing. Donna
PS. Anyway of getting that Missouri Pumpkin Cake recipe?
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 lg can evaporated milk
4 eggs
1tsp. cinnamon
1 box yellow cake mix
1 c. melted butter
1 c. chopped nuts
1 - 3oz. can pumpkin
Grease 9x13" pan. Mix sugar, eggs, milk, cinnamon and pumpkin together. Pour into the 9x13 pan. Sprinkle cake mix over mixture. Dribble butter over the cake mix. Sprinkle nuts on top. Bake about 25 minutes at 350 degrees.