Corner on Vocations

Written on: February 23, 2016

National Catholic Sisters Week is celebrated annually from March 8-14. The celebration highlights ministries, good works and historical contributions of Women Religious in our country. As part of one special project, four Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart were interviewed by Julie McElmurry, a friend of Sister Eileen Spanier. When the video project is complete we hope to be able to view it  together, as well as incorporate the Grey Nun interviews into our website. Thank you, Julie and Sr. Eileen, for making this possible. We are grateful to Sisters Pat Watkins, Mary Finnick, Rose Mary Cauley, and Joan McElwain for their participation.

Lent is traditionally the time when vocation directors are invited to college campuses to conduct Busy Person Retreats. This year, Maryellen represented the GNSH at LaSalle and Temple Universities where she had the privilege of mentoring four women on each campus. It is a gift and blessing to be with young Catholics to share  our faith stories as well as witnessing to religious life.

Give Your Heart Away!

Sister Eileen Spanier, GNSH, surrounded by her students

Once again this year, the collaborative campus ministries of Charlotte North Carolina held their annual “Give Your Heart Away Weekend.” Sister Eileen Spanier is co-chair of this well attended event each February, coinciding with St. Valentine’s Day.

About 50 students attended this year representing 9 colleges/universities in the Diocese of Charlotte. According to Sister Eileen, “my annual duties include contacting the vocation directors and facilitating all that it entails. This year I made arrangements for Sr. Carolyn Coll, RSM. My students and I arrive early and do final set-up and provide hospitality for the other students as they arrive. I am also responsible for the Commissioning Ceremony as a send off to the Saturday ministries. We  also recognize students who have attended each year of their college career with a small remembrance.”

The weekend consists of prayer, reflection and service. One of the highlights for the students is when they are served by their campus ministers at the big dinner on Saturday. Thank you, Sister Eileen for the special presence you bring to the students!

This entry was posted in News and tagged: Busy Person Retreats, Give Your Heart Away Weekend, Lent, National Catholic Sisters Week, Prayer, service, sharing faith, Sister Eileen Spanier, Video project