by Sr. Cecilia Marie Hellmann, ASC
Wearing special t-shirts with ‘Faith, Love, Family’ and the word ‘Tigers’ printed in different Faith Family colors, 13 of the 16 ASC Sister Prayer Pals joined in the May 2 Field Day at St. Teresa School in Belleville, IL. The three sisters who could not attend were present to their group by having their picture on a big ‘paw print’ carried around to each activity.
The first event for Sister Pals was to go to the gym to watch preschool and kindergarten children engage in challenges appropriate for their age. It didn’t take long before adult Sister Pals began to participate, encouraging and assisting the little ones, especially the tiniest. It became unclear who was having the most fun!
After a snack break, everyone regrouped as faith families outside for many action-packed activities, as youth earned points accompanied by group chants and cheers. ASC Sisters moved with their ‘family,’ encouraging and applauding.
When all returned to the gym, the eighth-grade class took on ‘the nuns’ in a seated volleyball game. It seemed that no one kept score, however! The last activity was a rousing rendition from the bleachers of the school’s favorite song, “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” and the awarding of trophies: Outstanding Sportsmanship Award elected by Faith Family members; Most Spirited Family, and Field Day Champions (determined by points earned at eight games played).
Volunteers then served a pizza and salad lunch for the school staff and ASC guests. The sisters returned home with gifts in their ‘family’ colors, including a paw print!
This special year of serving as Pen Pals for St. Teresa School Faith Families has been a joyful experience of building relationships with a young generation of students who are so respectful and truly willing to open their hearts to ‘their nuns”.
The 16 ASCs who have come to know the St. Teresa School family applaud the staff and students and award them a trophy for being the ‘most outstanding, most spirited and most creative’ in bringing sisters and youth together in a joyful relationship!
I think this is fabulous idea maybe the sisters in Wichita could find a school to partner with and do something like this project.