A Community Within a Community

“You like it here, don’t you!?”  This statement and question were often directed to us, especially to the younger members of our community, by our dear Sister Scholastica Marquart, RIP. It was an expression of her own love for her sisters and her delight in being part of this wonderful group of women.

As Mother Nature has once again lovingly blanketed the ground white here in Fargo, it signals one year since we transitioned from Sacred Heart Convent/Presentation Center to Riverview Place. We’ve decided … yes, we like it here.

Signs are undeniable that this has become our forever home. We’ve been absorbed into the gracious welcome and accommodations that the staff and residents have extended to us.  Their own sense of community has wrapped around us. They have helped our hearts to mend. In turn they have received an added element, an infusion of the Sisters’ kind. Many are the expressions of welcome and joy that we are in their midst.

Some residents join us for morning and evening prayer. We join them for Wednesday evening pinocle. We enjoy together the musical entertainments and town hall meetings. We “mix up” at the meal tables and even dare to do exuberant visiting in the halls! Some residents welcome that extra arm for balance in their walks, or extra conversations at coffeetime. We have a presence on the bus rides to doctors’ appointments and outings. Sisters have even given an additional hand in serving and/or clearing tables in the wake of staff shortage because of COVID.

The sharing of stories is mutual and natural. How similar are our experiences and efforts of growing old graciously? How important are God and our spiritualities.

Gradually becoming a part of the home life here has brought a normality back to us. There is again a routine, regular prayer times, gatherings for fun and business, days of recollection and sharing of screens for zooms and webinars. There have developed modes of communication among ourselves and a rhythm of daily life.

All this, yet, the outside world is alive and vibrant to us. We continue to serve on ministry boards, cuddle babies at the hospital, do spiritual direction, fix meals for the Gladys Ray Shelter for veterans, give music lessons, welcome calls and visitors at the Presentation Partners in Housing Office are active in the Presentation Prayer Center, all in Fargo as well as serving as the director of Catholic Charities in the Diocese New Ulm, Minnesota.

Much to our delight, Riverview Place is providing temporary office space and use of their chapel and social hall for our Prayer Center, our peace and justice office, our associates and our administrative staff.

The joining of sister living Riverview Place, the sisters living in Riversquare and Minnesota help us all to experience the flame and commitment of Nano’s vision and spirit. She is no stranger here. The books of her life and ministry that lay at the base of her statue at the entrance of the chapel circulate constantly.

A community within a community? It seems three communities. There is no way to escape it. Yet, we experience it as one. How can we go wrong when we gather in his name? “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them!” How can we not like it!

Article by Sister Jan Ihli
Photo by Sister Josephine Brennan