Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Postulant Cyan Reed reflects on her Mission Experience at St. Paul Convent, Kaukauna, Wisconsin.
I went to Kaukauna for my first mission experience. There, I stayed at the St. Paul Convent, for a week, with Sister Delores Wisnicky, Sister Barbara Mathe and Local Director, Sister Charlene Acker. I had a peek into the ministry of each of the Sisters and a glimpse into my own future.
My first day I attended a stand-up meeting that happens weekly. At this meeting each department shares updates about what’s going on, workshops and any changes or communications that need to happen. Sister Delores is the Director of Spiritual Care and started the meeting with a religious song. Making sure everything we do is rooted in love of God is so important, and I was glad to see it in action.
A really eye-opening experience was being able to sit in on a care conference with the lay staff at St. Paul’s Elder Services. The thoughtfulness and care that each resident receives was wonderful. The families were so put at ease when their specific requests were attended to and respected.
Whenever the day was over and we arrived back at the house, it was always nice to unwind with the Sisters. I taught them how to play a card game, a modified version of Egyptian Rat Screw, which involves speedily slapping cards to ultimately get the whole pile. I won. We also completed a borderless puzzle. I found out that I have a knack for putting puzzles together.
When it was time to say goodbye, it was difficult. The week spent was lovely and informative.
