Three weeks ago today Sr. Mary Gabriel and myself landed at the Tucson Airport-not knowing what to really expect at our new mission in Sierra Vista. Today I can take a look at our convent and school and know that we have accomplished alot in these three short and very busy weeks. Nine new teachers with energy and enthusiasm galore have been hired. Classrooms that weren't used last year have been cleaned out and are ready for today's Open House. Sr. Mary Gabriel worked hard at putting the library back together. We now have book shelves in the computer room with books that had been abandoned in boxes for several years.
As I arrived early this Saturday morning to take a walk through the school neighborhood I was welcomed by the Young At Heart group from the parish cutting the grass and weeds on the parish and school grounds. I was surprised and very grateful as the grounds definitely needed trimming up for the Open House. As I walked the gravel roads by school into the mountains I saw beautiful homes with desert landscape nestled below the Huachuca mountains. Wow! I would love to live in this neighborhood. I could walk to and from school and be apart of the beauty of the mountains.
Upon returning to the school grounds I met two of the men who finished the grass cutting. They were very sweaty but had smiles on their faces when I stopped to talk to them. One of them proudly told me, " I put your bed together." He was one of the Young at Heart group that came to our convent before we arrived to put our beds and other furniture together. They are just a couple of the very generous and outgoing parishioners I have met here.
Yes, we are ready for Open House today to meet the parents and students. Monday school begins and we will have 3 year olds through 8th grade coming through our gates to begin the 2011-2012 school year. I thank God for the many blessings of these past three weeks that got us to the point where we can really be proud of All Saints Catholic School and Our Lady of the Mountains Parish.
We are eager to hear about our latest Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity mission-Our Lady of the Mountains, Sierra Vista, AZ. Something about the name begs for a Franciscan hangout! Blessings on this new adventure!
ReplyDeleteSisters, You are very generous in agreeing to go to this new mission. It sounds like you have things under control and are off to a good start. I'm sure the people are elated in having Sisters for the first time. I look forward to hearing more about your experiences there. God bless you. Sister Rosangela
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying following your journey at our newest mission. I have been telling others here in Oshkosh about this latest venture and will now link them to your blog. I send prayerful support as the children arrive!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Sounds like you're off to a successful start! Do the mountains have any cooling effect on the desert surroundings? I hope so! Blessings as you continue the adventure!
ReplyDeleteGreat work, Sr. Carol and Sr. Mary Gabriel as you begin this new adventure with the Lord and His people. Trusting in the Lord will bring great things to witness. I praise God with you.
ReplyDeleteSr. Delores Wisnicky
The generosity of the parish is such a blessing. May God bless you and your students and parents as you begin anew. Thank you for sharing your life with us. Sister Mary Frances
ReplyDeleteGreetings and want to tell you I just read all your email telling about your arrival and all the work you did to prepare for school and also about your first day! Wow! what at great job you too are doing! I am so proud of all the work you are doing and what a good example you are giving our community. It made me so happy to read how kind and apprecitive of all you are doing and all the good things they are sharinf; with you.(car-house plus) Will keep reading your many interesting notes. God bless you and know you are in my daily prayers. Sister St. Louis
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