Adventures on the West Coast

Early one morning in May, four Sister Servants flew all the way to the great state of Washington. We went to share about our life as Sister Servants with the parish and school of one of our Casa Maria retreat masters. Fr. Wichert has come to give retreats for the last few years, and because he couldn’t bring his entire parish on a 5-hour plane ride down to Birmingham, he asked that some of us come and bring a little of Casa Maria to them. It was exciting to teach the community about our vocation and the joy it gives us to live totally for God. 

Each morning, we visited a few classrooms to talk to the students and answer whatever questions they had about religious life. Then, we had the joy of eating lunch with the students and joining them for recess! In most areas of the country, recess might be moved inside if it is raining—not in Washington! Rain does not keep these kids from their daily time for running around, playing soccer or four-square, so we didn’t let it deter us either. 

On Friday morning, we joined the school and parish for their May Crowning. That morning, every single student brought a few flowers, and at the beginning of Mass, they all processed up to the front of the church to put their flowers in vases to be placed around Our Lady. Needless to say, she was thoroughly adorned with hundreds of flowers! The seventh-grade students led the music for the Mass, and Sister Benedicta Marie served as guest director of the choir.   

Each evening, we were able to join in many of the regular parish activities, including First Communion classes and youth group. One night, the parish had a potluck, at which the four of us gave a presentation on the universal call to holiness and the ways of cultivating a life of grace. At this event we were able to meet a lot of the parishioners, including the families of the students we had already met in the mornings. Everyone was so welcoming and kind! 

A trip to the beautiful Pacific Northwest wouldn’t be complete without some time spent in the great outdoors! On Sunday afternoon, Fr. Wichert brought us for a hike to see Wallace Falls, and after a rigorous hike to see the waterfall, we were treated to a rainbow shining forth from the mist of the falls.

The trip was a great grace to the four of us Sisters, and we pray it was equally so for all we met!