A Joyful and Healing Reunion

Sister Marie Clement Edrich, SFP

When we read about the happy and successful reunion of Sisters and former members of our Congregation that was held in Warwick this past June, we decided to have one here in Cincinnati.

Help from Friends
So, Sr. Karen Hartman and I met and contacted Karen Holthaus Anthony, a former aspirant, who has kept in contact with other aspirants and former SFPs. She was as excited about a reunion as we were. She and her sister Arlene started contacting people -- who by now had scattered all over the USA.

We had met primarily by phone and decided to do pretty much the same things the Sisters had in the East: Mass, lunch and ample time for visiting. Sr. Karen arranged for our reunion to take place in the St. Clare Activities Center; Mass would be in the chapel, and tours of St. Clare’s were arranged, along with a visit to the cemetery. Srs. Karen,  Ann Cecile Albers and Adelaide Link helped with preparations.

We sent invitations by email and snail mail and received many responses. Those who could not attend gave us encouragement and regrets about not being able to come. About 35 women attended, some from as far away as Upper Michigan, New York State, and even Utah!

Joy and Sharing from Start to Finish . . .
The day began with name tags, meeting and greeting, laughter and tears. We had arranged the tables in a big rectangle with 55 chairs. After Sr. Karen formally welcomed everyone, I shared a short reflection on “God’s Plan in Our Lives.” Each woman shared something about who she was, her former name(s) (Sr. Karen Hartman had been Sr. Frances Marie) and other interesting information. It was fascinating to learn how many had been nurses. The Sisters updated everyone about what has happened in the Congregation in the last 50 years or so!

During lunch there were lively exchanges. Then we visited the Convent by going through the tunnel (we had great fun doing this – the women seeking ‘permission’ to use the tunnel – forbidden during Aspirant days!).  We also visited the cemetery, seeking out the gravesites of favorite teachers. Many of the women talked about Sr. Marguerite Held and Sr. Marie Heitkamp. ..And a good number went to the Centennial Barn to find Sr. Rose Carmel Berberich … and to the convent to seek out Sr. Loretta Mick and Sr. Mary Virginia Schreiner.

We had Mass in the chapel, which was celebrated by Fr. Paul Desch, OFM -- a wonderful celebrant. Then it was time to leave. So many were grateful for this day, especially for the Sisters who had shared the experience with them. Some of the women said that, in addition to the joy of reconnecting, they experienced a sense of healing.

Keeping in Touch
We are compiling a name and address list, which will be made available to all so those whose lives intersected at St. Clare Convent  “in the Plan of God” can stay in contact.  As one of the former aspirants said:  “It was a pure joy we had on Saturday, October 23 …  hearing everyone’s short story, and all the good each had done with her life…”

The only complaint received was: the day was too short! The women needed at least an overnight stay to accommodate more visiting, catching up, and more reconnecting. Surely the day was a pure joy!