Foundation Holds CMI Retreat at Springbank Retreat Center

May 17, 2010

Over twenty Sisters ministering in South Carolina gathered at Springbank Retreat Center in Kingstree, S.C. on Saturday, May 15, for the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina Collaboration for Ministry Initiative’s Spring Gathering. Springbank Retreat Center is located on 80 acres of wooded trails and natural beauty. It is a place for prayer, recollection and rest.

Sister Pamela Smith, SSCM, gave an inspiring talk on the theme, “Graced by Nature,” making connections between scripture, the Catholic tradition and all of creation. In her presentation, Sister Pamela noted how it is often the poor and vulnerable who suffer most from abuse of creation, such as the recent Gulf Coast oil spill. However, she also emphasized how Sisters minister to those most in need throughout the state, bringing sacred scripture alive through actions that embody faith, hope and love.

At the close of her presentation, Sister Pamela quoted Saint Thomas Aquinas, “Every creature bears a trace of the Trinity, and everything that lives praises God by being.” The Sisters then explored Springbank’s grounds and sacred, reflective places, including the Stations of the Cross, the Grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Labyrinth, the Celtic Tree, the Grandmother Tree, the Cosmic Walk, the Twelve Step Path, and the cemetery where it is believed slaves who lived on the original plantation in the 1700s are buried.  

The afternoon was spent engaged in nature-inspired activities of water color painting, photography, poetry and pottery. Afterwards the Sisters shared their creations with the group, and spoke about how the day of experiencing God’s presence in nature had, indeed, graced them and by extension, their ministries. As a final prayer before adjourning, each Sister planted lavender, sage and other herbs in one of Springbank’s gardens.    
 
Sisters expressed appreciation for the blessings of the day in various ways. One Sister attending the event said, “The beauty of nature, so abundant at Springbank, and the gracious hospitality of the Sisters on staff, make this a truly memorable and blessed day.”    

About the Collaboration for Ministry Initiative
Historically, Sister-affiliated ministries have a strong and successful record in reducing poverty in South Carolina. Sisters have established schools, hospitals and social service ministries that have served hundreds of thousands of people in the state over the past 200 years. Today, due to aging of Sisters and the decline in new recruits, there is an accelerating loss of Sisters’ ministries in South Carolina. Additionally, the few active Sisters remaining are scattered throughout the state and they, along with their ministries, are frequently alone in their efforts to address poverty.

Thus, over five years ago the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina began an initiative which seeks to understand and assist these ministries in South Carolina. Working to strengthen and sustain these ministries, the Collaboration for Ministry Initiative conducts a variety of activities including convening meetings, providing technical assistance, facilitating transitions of leadership of Sister-affiliated ministries, providing grants and evaluating these efforts.

Pictured: Sisters ministering in South Carolina listen to a graced by nature themed presentation from Sister Pamela Smith, SSCM.

Pictured: Sisters spend the afternoon participating in nature-inspired crafts, including water color painting and pottery.

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