Bridging Cultures...a follow-up

Last month, I shared my experience of welcoming refugee women and their children to the Villa for a weekend. I also wrote a reflection for the February Giving Voice Newsletter. (Giving Voice is a peer led organization for younger women religious).

I am continually surprised to hear from the women and kids how much they loved the weekend. One of the little girls even asked, "When are we going back to your big house?"

Here is a link to my reflection in the February newsletter. I hope you also enjoy reading Rejane Cytacki's reflection ("This Lenten Season"). It includes a picture of the Sisters of St. Antoine of Fondwa (Sr. Judy, HM has worked with this community and HM leadership provides leadership formation for the Sisters of St. Antoine).

Welcoming the stranger...at Villa Maria

Group photo outside the sheep barn

Together with VMESC, the HMs welcomed refugee moms and their children to Villa Maria for a weekend of rest and fun. Each family was resettled in Cleveland through MRS (Migration and Refugee Services-Cleveland Catholic Charities). With the help of MRS staff and volunteers and a number of HM sisters, the families were able to take time away from the stress of beginning life in a new country. Everyone enjoyed trips out to the farm, games in the gym with Srs Jeanne and Janet, and swimming! Sr Paulette also did an art group with the moms. It was a great joy to welcome and share the Villa with the moms and kids.


On Saturday, one of the children performed a traditional Bhutanese dance for the sisters and other people on retreat. Enjoy!

Sharing the experience, the group gathered in a circle for the "hokey pokey." Bringing cultures and generations....that's what it's all about!