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Working at Convent of the Visitation School moves one along the continuum of having a job, to embracing a career, to finding a vocation. And this transformation is in no small part due to the influence of the Sisters of the Visitation, whose life’s work and life blood have fueled this school since 1873. These women are remarkable.
A beautiful view into the calling to religious life of these low-profile Sisters is now available in the newly published book by Elsa Thompson Hofmeister ‘56, Extraordinary Ordinary Lives: Vocation Stories of Minnesota Visitation Sisters. This exquisite tome is based upon interviews with fourteen Sisters, whose paths were quite different, yet led to the same beautiful calling. The stories are inspirational and only underscore the honor it is to serve in the school that they brought to life.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Grandparents Galore
May Day was filled with special blessings for Visitation. The morning was given over to a wonderful liturgical celebration, attended by the entire school and hundreds of grandparents and special friends.
I had the opportunity at this gathering to welcome and extend our collective gratitude to all present. We are so appreciative for all of the love and support that so many have demonstrated toward Visitation over time. And as I said in my welcome, each person present has her/his own special and profound connection to this place. Nurturing that connection remains our goal.
So many have helped and supported Visitation over time – helping us sustain our mission and secure our school’s future. At Visitation, we challenge ourselves every day to do just a little bit better. We do so because we are stewards of a place that exists because of so many people who have so generously given so much to our school, and who are the very bedrock of the traditions that sustain us.
During this liturgy, we also asked for special blessings upon our precious seniors and spirited sixth grade boys, who will be embarking upon learning adventures beyond Visitation next year. We have certainly been blessed by their presence.
After Mass, our special friends visited classes, dined, and simply took in the Visitation of today. What a wonderful May Day.
I had the opportunity at this gathering to welcome and extend our collective gratitude to all present. We are so appreciative for all of the love and support that so many have demonstrated toward Visitation over time. And as I said in my welcome, each person present has her/his own special and profound connection to this place. Nurturing that connection remains our goal.
So many have helped and supported Visitation over time – helping us sustain our mission and secure our school’s future. At Visitation, we challenge ourselves every day to do just a little bit better. We do so because we are stewards of a place that exists because of so many people who have so generously given so much to our school, and who are the very bedrock of the traditions that sustain us.
During this liturgy, we also asked for special blessings upon our precious seniors and spirited sixth grade boys, who will be embarking upon learning adventures beyond Visitation next year. We have certainly been blessed by their presence.
After Mass, our special friends visited classes, dined, and simply took in the Visitation of today. What a wonderful May Day.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
You Have to Smile
The familiar sound of creaky wheels makes its way down the hall. Passing by an open door is a collection of toddlers, safely placed in a Child Care multi-seat wagon. They smile, some wave, an occasional tear appears. They roll on, taking in the views of the school accompanied by caring staff.
This is a familiar sight at Visitation – a sight that brings smiles to anyone in view. The innocence of tiny ones, so excited to do anything, warms hearts here. And this presence of these little children, who come to our infant room as young as six weeks, remind us all how important the very earliest steps of the educational journey are.
We are blessed to span a generation under this roof, with the eldest Sister being 101 years old. The multi-generational aspect of Visitation School life spawns opportunity and celebration. You have to smile.
This is a familiar sight at Visitation – a sight that brings smiles to anyone in view. The innocence of tiny ones, so excited to do anything, warms hearts here. And this presence of these little children, who come to our infant room as young as six weeks, remind us all how important the very earliest steps of the educational journey are.
We are blessed to span a generation under this roof, with the eldest Sister being 101 years old. The multi-generational aspect of Visitation School life spawns opportunity and celebration. You have to smile.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Poise
Poise is an attribute that runs rampant at Visitation. This poise springs from a combination of talents and skills, underpinned by earnest preparedness. Within the classroom and outside its bounds, our students demonstrate a great deal of aplomb.
Example: Visitation’s FIRST Robotics Team worked diligently to prepare for the 2009 Greater Kansas City Regional Competition, competed confidently, and ultimately won the Judges Award. While this group of budding engineers would have loved to advance to the finals in the competition, they remained poised, congratulated the winners, and set their sights on the Minnesota 10,000 Lakes Competition next month.
Example: Visitation’s Mock Trial Team has been voracious in their preparation for each competition and now have advanced for the first time in almost a decade to the state competition in Duluth, which happens next week. As one observes when watching them in action, they carry out their roles in the mock trials with grace and confidence. No doubt they will proceed with shoulders squared and nimble minds at next week’s competition.
Through their own efforts and bolstered and guided by the incredible teachers and volunteers who support undertakings such as these, our students continue to make their marks – with great poise. This is beautiful.
Example: Visitation’s FIRST Robotics Team worked diligently to prepare for the 2009 Greater Kansas City Regional Competition, competed confidently, and ultimately won the Judges Award. While this group of budding engineers would have loved to advance to the finals in the competition, they remained poised, congratulated the winners, and set their sights on the Minnesota 10,000 Lakes Competition next month.
Example: Visitation’s Mock Trial Team has been voracious in their preparation for each competition and now have advanced for the first time in almost a decade to the state competition in Duluth, which happens next week. As one observes when watching them in action, they carry out their roles in the mock trials with grace and confidence. No doubt they will proceed with shoulders squared and nimble minds at next week’s competition.
Through their own efforts and bolstered and guided by the incredible teachers and volunteers who support undertakings such as these, our students continue to make their marks – with great poise. This is beautiful.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Technology as Tool
Thank you for reading this blog. I intend for it to serve as one of many communication tools for the Visitation community – another route for sharing, reaching out, and connecting. The power of technology is remarkable. And while some challenges certainly present themselves, particularly as it relates to helping students understand its beauty and perils, we are working hard to use it well and wisely.
As part of our communication plan regarding Visitation’s response to the macroeconomic difficulties of these times, we developed my first podcast. I invite you to watch and listen if you have not already done so. It is accessible from visitation. net’s homepage.
Our website is rich with information about Visitation school and community life. Please take a few moments to navigate around the site. I think that you will find interesting facts, find many reasons to smile, and perhaps even reconnect with a person or two. We have much news to share and thank you, in advance, for checking us out.
As part of our communication plan regarding Visitation’s response to the macroeconomic difficulties of these times, we developed my first podcast. I invite you to watch and listen if you have not already done so. It is accessible from visitation. net’s homepage.
Our website is rich with information about Visitation school and community life. Please take a few moments to navigate around the site. I think that you will find interesting facts, find many reasons to smile, and perhaps even reconnect with a person or two. We have much news to share and thank you, in advance, for checking us out.
Friday, January 2, 2009
The Visitation Statue and Prayer
When driving onto campus this morning, I locked my eyes longer than usual on the beautiful bronze statue of the Visitation, located in the Portress circle. While this statue has been in place less than a year, it seems as though it has always been there. It is the perfect welcome to those who arrive at Visitation. After all, one of the Salesian virtues so beautifully embraced by the Sisters is cheerful hospitality. When one views the statue, the roots of that virtue are easily observed.
Mary and Elizabeth lean toward each other in greeting, both with child, both anticipating the new lives to come. The Visitation School Prayer places this moment in a most wonderful context:
Loving God, we celebrate the way you inspired Mary to carry the new life of Christ to her cousin, Elizabeth. We also carry Christ in our hearts, and we celebrate the great things you do for us.
Guide all of us at Visitation to respect and appreciate ourselves and others. As we gather, help us to work for the good of the school and all creation. In the gentle spirit of St. Jane de Chantal and St. Francis de Sales, teach us to love you by serving and supporting one another.
Bless and protect each of us, our families, those we love, and all who are in need of our prayers.
Amen.
Offering this prayer as the calendar turns to 2009 seems especially timely.
Mary and Elizabeth lean toward each other in greeting, both with child, both anticipating the new lives to come. The Visitation School Prayer places this moment in a most wonderful context:
Loving God, we celebrate the way you inspired Mary to carry the new life of Christ to her cousin, Elizabeth. We also carry Christ in our hearts, and we celebrate the great things you do for us.
Guide all of us at Visitation to respect and appreciate ourselves and others. As we gather, help us to work for the good of the school and all creation. In the gentle spirit of St. Jane de Chantal and St. Francis de Sales, teach us to love you by serving and supporting one another.
Bless and protect each of us, our families, those we love, and all who are in need of our prayers.
Amen.
Offering this prayer as the calendar turns to 2009 seems especially timely.
Monday, December 1, 2008
An Exclamation Point on the Year!
Turning the calendar to December again this year evoked in me a fleeting moment of surprise. How could the year have passed so quickly? Are we truly in the last month of 2008? Unbelievable.
Yet, Thanksgiving is again a lovely memory, the expectancy of Advent has begun, and our last month’s chance to make the most of this year is upon us. There remain 30 days for any one of us to stamp 2008 with an extra amount of caring for each other and for our earth. If we have not reached out often enough, there still is time. If we have not prayed fervently enough, there still is time. If we have not found ample opportunities to lighten someone’s load, offer some comfort, volunteer, conserve resources, or simply be the best that we can be, there still is time to make a special mark before we turn the page to 2009.
As Saint Francis de Sales said so many years ago, be who you are, and be that well. For this, there always is time.
Yet, Thanksgiving is again a lovely memory, the expectancy of Advent has begun, and our last month’s chance to make the most of this year is upon us. There remain 30 days for any one of us to stamp 2008 with an extra amount of caring for each other and for our earth. If we have not reached out often enough, there still is time. If we have not prayed fervently enough, there still is time. If we have not found ample opportunities to lighten someone’s load, offer some comfort, volunteer, conserve resources, or simply be the best that we can be, there still is time to make a special mark before we turn the page to 2009.
As Saint Francis de Sales said so many years ago, be who you are, and be that well. For this, there always is time.
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