On Monday, June 5, nine students and four adult chaperones from Notre Dame Academy, Covington, arrived at the Motherhouse for a short visit that included a tour and lunch on the 4th floor terrazza. How honored we were that this brave group came directly to the Motherhouse from Fiumicino Airport after their 9-hour flight from the USA to Rome! Sr. Patricia Marie, Local Superior of the Motherhouse, took the group on a tour of our main floor, which included the Chapel. The group was very impressed with the beauty and peace of our Chapel. After the tour, the group enjoyed a simple American lunch on the terrazza – peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, potato chips, cut vegetables, and cookies for dessert!
The students and their chaperones were in Rome for a 5-day tour that included ancient sites of Rome, Ostia Antica, and a day trip to Pompeii. One of the students was a recipient of the Notre Dame Distinguished Graduate Award, a special award given to students in Notre Dame schools in the USA who exemplify the spirit of generosity, service, and excellence in academics that our part of our Notre Dame Educational heritage. In the main parlor at the Motherhouse, a list of all the award recipients is on display, so she was able to view her name in the record book.
The trip was planned by Ms. Elizabeth Barnes, the Latin teacher at Notre Dame Academy. She and the students were most grateful for our hospitality, and she said, “Your Motherhouse is such a peaceful place and we are so thankful you made us feel so welcome.”