October 11, 2020 was the official day that Sister Patricia Marie McClain became the new local superior at the Motherhouse in Rome. Sister Linda Marie White who had been local superior for the past 6 years returned to Toledo, Ohio on October 13th. Sister had been in residence at the Motherhouse for the past 8 years helping with various areas before taking up the role of local superior. Already in August, the local community celebrated a day of gratitude for Sister Linda Marie, celebrating a Holy Mass in her intentions in the morning and throughout the day in many ways expressing appreciation for her presence among us and her service.
At Lial Retreat Center in Whitehouse, Ohio, Sister Linda Marie will now be on the team, providing many services in the area of hospitality. Upon returning home Sister had to go into quarantine on the retreat center grounds. With the beauty of the fall colors on the trees and expansive grounds with no visitors, quarantine was a well-deserved rest after 8 busy years in Rome crowned with the challenge of the coronavirus.
Like Sister Linda Marie, Sister Patricia Marie also hails from Toledo, Ohio and recently left her position as President/Principal of Lial School in Whitehouse, Ohio, to accept the challenge of a new country, a new language and the experience of an international community. Upon her arrival in Rome on September 15, 2020, Sister Patricia Marie, too, needed to quarantine for two weeks on the motherhouse property. Now she is settling in well and as an avid walker has begun to explore our neighborhood and surrounding parks as well as the most direct path to St. Peter’s and back. She continues to study Italian and acquaint herself with how life in Italy functions. Her life, energy, positive attitude, and interest in each sister are gifts to our Motherhouse community.
by Dreamhost