It was colorful, our holiday week bright and colorful.
This doesn’t necessarily mean the colors, but rather the encounters, the joy and happiness, the shared experiences.
The reception with sparkling wine on Monday morning seemed to be the perfect start, followed by the excellent culinary barbecue. We welcomed ‘Loriot’ in the convent cinema, of course equipped with a cinema ticket and a bag of popcorn. On Tuesday, our mobile sisters traveled to Eggerode, which is always a highlight – a visit to the Marian shrine entitled ‘Mother of God of the heavenly Kingdom’. Our sisters in wheelchairs met in the courtyard of Kloster Annenthal for a program with a rich variety of presentations in a relaxed atmosphere. The little excursion to the neighbor’s garden fell through because it was raining cats and dogs.
Long-awaited four-legged furry friends came to our garden on Wednesday. Markus K., the son of one of our employees, showed us his four alpacas, marvelous animals with beautiful eyes and soft fur. They hadn’t had their breakfast yet, so they carefully took their portions from the hands of our sisters. Cautious encounters, a real gift… In the afternoon there was hearty singing. Mr. Brüning, already well known to our house, created a lively atmosphere with his accordion, playing old German songs that are well known to us.
On Thursday morning, we were enchanted by a magician. Incomprehensible things happened, and questioning faces could be seen. What was happening? Everyone was relieved when Anne received her banknote back, and it was still intact.
The afternoon of July 4 was all about our worldwide congregation. The first sisters arrived in Cleveland, USA, 150 years ago. Now our sisters in America had invited us to a celebration to mark the occasion. We met super punctually in the group room in front of the large TV screen. We were connected to our sisters by computer. Technology makes it possible. Spellbound we listened to the moving words of Sr. M. Joell and then heard the ‘Ave Maris Stella’ sung for us by our American co-sisters. Heartfelt moments. One of our older sisters said afterward: ‘We were suddenly so close as if the ocean that lies between us did not exist. I could feel that we were one. What a gift our congregation is. And then this hymn. Mary unites us all.’
Yes, our holiday week was colorful, the meeting with our sisters in America shining like a bright light.
The ice cream parlor on Friday afternoon was a very pleasant conclusion to an eventful holiday week at Kloster Annenthal.
Sr. Gisela Maria Demming
by Dreamhost