We've Made the Switch!!

Hello and welcome to Montebello! I have made the transition from the Pietermaritzburg community to the Montebello Community, and everything is going wonderful so far! I have so many memories from my time with the brothers that I keep looking back on (and that I know I will continue to look back on for years to come), and it helps to know that I am only an hour away from them. I could not be more grateful for how welcoming and kind they were during my time there, and I am coming away from my weeks there with so many new friends and experiences. If any of the brothers happen to find this, thank you so much for everything (you rock!).

Saying goodbye to the Brothers and hello to the Sisters

Saying bye to Fr Martin, who helped me to plan my Fellowship!

            I’ve been in Montebello for 3 days now and it is a LOT different from Pietermaritzburg. It is much more rural, and the only neighbors that the Sisters have are the sugarcane crops, lots and lots of sugarcane crops! Montebello is also further into the mountains, and although this makes the temperature much colder, it also allows for some of the most spectacular views. The entire community is surrounded by the most beautiful landscape, and I feel so grateful to be able to see it every day. The Sisters here have also been so incredible; when I was meeting all of them they all went out of their way to say “you are most welcome here” and give me a big hug. They are such a kind bunch.
          One thing about Montebello that is amazing is that right outside the doors of the convent are so many opportunities to serve. These past few days, I have been observing and teaching in the all-girl high school here called Our Lady of the Rosary. I have been accompanying one of the science teachers here, Mrs. Hlella, to her classes and even had the opportunity to teach a few myself today, which was both very exciting and very nerve-wracking. Everything went wonderfully, though, and the students are all so involved and love to answer questions, which makes my life a lot easier! I am grateful to be here at this time of the year since a lot of the science teachers have units on Genetics and have asked me to assist with those classes in particular. Things are kicking into high-gear since their term is wrapping up and the 12^th grade students have their final exams coming up in a few weeks! So far, things are going great with the classes and I love being able to share my love of science with so many beautiful souls!

Assembly time in the morning at Our Lady of the Rosary High School

          I have also been getting to know many of the students here, and they are so curious about life in the US! Most of them are living at a Boarding House during the school year, and this is also conveniently steps away from the convent. I have visited the students there a few times, and I have gotten so many hugs and questions! They are all so sweet and have so many smiles to share. Every night they have certain homework hours, and I am hoping to have the chance to come to their boarding house during these hours to see if I can offer any help.

With some of the Students!

          One other group of people I have had the chance to meet are the three Candidates. As a Candidate, these women are on the first step to becoming Dominican Sisters, and they are learning more about the Order and what it means to live as a consecrated religious. They are also very close to my own age, and are some of the funniest and kindest people I have ever met! We have had many adventures together already, and I know there will be many more to come.

          There are so many students and children here, it feels like a complete dream! I have met so many Sisters, students, and teachers, and I am looking forward to forming stronger relationships with each and every one of them! I feel beyond blessed by the incredible opportunities I have had here already in South Africa; these are some of the most thoughtful and loving people I have ever met.

          God Bless,

          Jen

PMB

Hello everyone! These past few days here in Pietermaritzburg have been wonderful! I have had time to get to know the brothers better and really witness how they go about their day. Before I tell you all about my week, I would like to first ask for your prayers for my friends and Smith Fellows Dee, Emma, and Kelli. These wonderful people have been preparing to spend their Fellowships serving in the Philippines and doing incredible work there; however, due to violence and unstable circumstances in that country they are not able to embark on this Fellowship. I know how hard these 3 beautiful souls have worked preparing for this trip and how hard this must be for them, so please keep them in your prayers.

            The brothers here at the priory are truly a welcoming and unique bunch: we have Fr Martin, my favorite croc-wearing Dominican; Fr Clement, who is full of joy and has one of the best laughs I have ever heard; Fr Evans, whose strikingly unique character can be found in all 11 of his toes; Fr Joe, who is full to the brim with wisdom and stories; Brother Philippe, who has so much love in his heart for his beautiful family; and so many other wonderful people. Many of the brothers are taking theology classes at a local university and are currently in the midst of exam season, along with most other college students at this time. Last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the one of the special Sunday masses here that the local university students help to run, and after mass I was able to speak to many of them about their academic experiences, which was very eye-opening.

Meeting the University Students after Mass

            Over the week, I also was able to volunteer with an amazing organization here called Sinomlando, which is Zulu for “we have a history.” This group works primarily with children, many of whom have gone through traumatic experiences in their past. Sinomlando has many different projects that they are constantly working on, including those that target teenagers with HIV, abandoned children, high school students, and migrants. My first day there I was able to travel with the Sinomlando workers to Mvuzo Secondary School where we did a workshop with the students focusing on career goals. Many of these students live in poor conditions and have to endure more hardships than I can even imagine. At the beginning of the meeting we listened as the students updated us on their week, and some of the burdens they carry should never be borne by someone so young. This experience made me even more appreciative of the work that the Sinomlando Center does; they know how to reach out to these students and offer them the support they need.

Banner in the Sinomlando office supporting teenagers who have HIV

The high school where we had the career workshop

My next day was very different and was spent in the office itself with the Skills Project. This project aims to teach parents, especially migrants, the skills they need to find sustainable jobs. On this particular day, they were working on making traditional African bracelets to sell on the market, and they were gracious enough to show me how to make them as well (they have the patience of saints!). It was a little difficult to talk with this group due to the language barrier—many of them spoke Zulu with just a little English—however I was still able to learn a lot about their lives and their children.

The beaded bracelet that I made!!

             During my free time, the brothers have been kind enough to invite me on errands and show me around Pietermaritzburg. Last weekend, Brother Clement took me to Howick Falls and Worldview, both of which gave us breathtaking views of the city. I’ve noticed that this part of South Africa has lots of mountains and hills, making the landscape so beautiful. Yesterday I was able to go with Fr Evans to the Midlands, which is centered in the middle of the mountains and also has amazing views.

At Howick Falls!

          One of the last experiences I would like to share was going to a cookout (which they call a Braai) at Brother Philippe’s home where they celebrated his daughter’s 31st birthday. Many years ago, Brother Philippe got permission from the Dominicans to adopt several children that he could not find adequate homes for. Now, most of these children are grown up and have children of their own, and it is clear how much they love their father. It was wonderful to meet and bond with everyone, and it gave me another taste of what life is like here in South Africa. If anyone is wondering, yes they have the same “Happy Birthday” song, and they also have a wonderful tradition where people give speeches about the birthday girl/boy that remarks on the previous year and offers advice for the coming one. It was an amazing experience to bond with this family and see the love that they have for one another.

One of the kids I was playing with during the braai

With Br Philippe's family!

            In a few hours, the Montebello Sisters are going to be picking me up, and I will be saying goodbye to Pietermaritzburg. I has been incredible how many beautiful people I was able to meet and have conversations with, and I cherish each and every one of them. There is an interesting connection between here and PC that I noticed almost as soon as I got here: Pietermaritzburg is often shortened to PMB, and every time I see that acronym I am reminded of the event that I ran in Campus Ministry this past year called Post Mass Bash, which I often shortened to PMB. I feel as though God worked his special magic in order to make me feel at home here even though I am half a world away. I was also able to meet a South African here who grew up a mere 30 minutes from my hometown in Massachusetts. I am so thankful for these small reminders of home and for how welcomed I feel here, this has been one incredible week. I think that is all for now, I will check back in with you all again when I am settled in Montebello!

God Bless,

Jen

Embracing the Joy

Hello everyone! Well, we’ve made it to South Africa! I am currently in the Emaphetweleni Dominican Priory in Pietermaritzburg with the Dominican Brothers and Fathers, and I am feeling so welcomed! A lot of wonderful events have happened in the past few days and I have met so many new, beautiful people, so let’s back up a little bit and start with the flights on Wednesday/Thursday! Bright and early Wednesday morning, I left Boston with another Smith Fellow, Jake Whitney, who is currently serving up in Springs, South Africa. We had a short flight from Boston to JFK and then came the REAL flight: 14 hours from JFK to Johannesburg. While I am grateful to the bottom of my heart that we had such a direct flight and didn’t have to deal with any more connections, by hour six I honestly wanted off that airplane! Everything ended up working out great with the flight, and after saying goodbye to Jake in Johannesburg I had one more small flight down to Durban. There, I finally met Fr Martin, who is the person in Pietermaritzburg that I had been in contact with to plan my Fellowship.

Before leaving from Logan!

Saying goodbye in Johannesburg!

           After picking me up from the airport, Fr Martin was kind enough to bring me to the Mother House in Durban to meet Sister Antonia from the Montebello Sisters! I had been planning the Montebello part of my Fellowship with Sister Antonia since November, and it was so wonderful to finally meet both her and Fr Martin! After this meeting I went to the Priory in Pietermaritzburg and was introduced to all of the Brothers and Fathers here (there are 17 total Brothers). These people are so skilled at making everyone and anyone fell welcomed among them, and I have been spending time of the past three days getting to know them all better. Through speaking with them, I have realized that many of them still remember and cherish the time they spent with past Smith Fellows. It is amazing to witness the connection that Providence College already has with these communities, and I am so honored and excited to be able to take that relationship even deeper.

Arriving in Pietermaritzburg

The circular chapel at the Priory

            There was also a big event that happened earlier today that everyone was preparing for when I arrived: Brothers Kelvin and Isaac were taking their Solemn Vows. The mass ended up being incredibly beautiful! Everyone in the chapel was full of such joy, and during one of the final hymns a spontaneous dance party erupted where the Dominicans went up to dance with their Brothers who had just committed themselves to the Order. Hearing the upbeat music and watching the Brothers welcome their new members, I couldn’t help but be in awe of the Lord and how He has guided my footsteps to this specific place and time. That experience is one that I will never forget.

Having a braai (cookout) after the Solemn Vow mass!

            Before the night ended, all of the Brothers met in the common room for their weekly Saturday night “Recreation” where everyone came together, told stories, and continued to celebrate Brothers Kelvin and Isaac. This, too, turned into a little dance party (I am beginning to notice a theme here and I think I better get my dancing shoes on) where everyone was embracing and laughing with one another. Truly, the community and brotherhood among the Dominicans here is something so beautiful, and I am grateful to be able to witness it.

At Saturday night Recreation

When Recreation turned into a dance party

             I think that is everything for now! When I am back home and have a better  internet connection, I will be adding in some pictures as well! Thank you all so much for your prayers and thoughts throughout this Fellowship.

God Bless,

Jen     

When It All Starts to Hit You...

Hello everyone! Thank you so much for reading this and for being with me as I start this incredible journey! Tomorrow morning, bright and early, I am going to be leaving for South Africa through the Fr. Smith Fellowship Program at Providence College. Just typing that sentence sends a flood of emotions through me, excitement and nervousness being the top two! It’s amazing to think that something that I have been planning and thinking about for so long is finally beginning to unfold.

            The Fr Smith Fellowship Program has given me this incredible opportunity. This summer, myself and eight other Providence College students will be traveling to Dominican Catholic Communities across the world to serve alongside the Dominicans for 6 weeks. Please keep myself and the eight other Smith Fellows in your prayers this summer (Here’s the link to the Smith Fellowship Page if you're interested I the program: http://providence.edu/mission-ministry/smith-fellow).

            MY THE GAME PLAN: When I am in South Africa, I am going to be staying with two different Dominican communities, the first being the Dominican Friars in Pietermaritzburg. I’ll be with these Friars for about a week and a half, and the plan is to serve in their universities as the students there have their final exams that week. The Fathers have loads of different ministries that they serve in, so I hope to poke my head in a few more while I am there as well! After this time in Pietermaritzburg, I am going to be spending the rest of my Fellowship with the Dominican Sisters in Montebello (around 4 and a half weeks). There, I am going to co-teach a biology class in their local high school and also serve in Vianney Children’s Home, which is a home for children who either do not have parents or their parents cannot take care of them.

            While that is the spiel I’ve been giving for a few weeks now, it is incredible to think that in a few short hours it will actually be happening! I’ll be leaving at 8 tomorrow morning (5/17) and will have two layovers at JFK and Johannesburg before arriving in South Africa on 5/18. I’m so excited for this experience am looking forward to all the ways that the Lord will use this time to touch my life.

            I also think that it is important at the beginning of any trip, especially one like this, to just lay out some goals that I have. While there are many that I have in mind (and that I know that the Lord has in mind for me), here are a few that are really important to me:

            1. Putting everything that happens into the Lord’s hands. With so many moving parts and uncertainties, I would go crazy worrying about everything. I want to give this whole experience to Him so that He may lead me where I am most valuable to others and where I will have the best experience. God, I give this all to you.

            2. Showing the love of Christ to those that I am serving. Especially with the children I am going to be working with, I would love to be able to convey to them just how much they are loved by our Father in Heaven. I’m working on some different activities to do with them to drive home this fact, but I think that it is most important to show it to them through how I act and live my own life. In the words of someone much wiser than myself: “preach the Gospel always, and, if necessary, use words.”

            3. Breathe, and take it all in. I know that during my Fellowship there are going to be many events happening and so many people to meet. One of the goals that I have is to make sure that in all of these encounters, I take a step back a cherish the experience. I am going to be able to see so many different perspectives on life during the Fellowship: how the South African schools are run, how the Catholic Church operates universally, and even how the ways of life are similar/different between the Fathers and Sisters. These are just a few; I will keep my eyes open to the other ones I am able to find on the trip.

Thank you so much for being with me during this incredible journey. If anyone is interested, I am trying to raise money to donate to the different groups that I will be serving with during the Fellowship (these groups include the Dominican communities, South African schools, and Vianney Children’s Home). Here is the link to that page if you’d like to donate, and thank you so much for your help in this endeavor: https://www.gofundme.com/supporting-south-africas-students

The next time you hear from me, I'll be living life in South Africa!

God Bless,

Jen Conroy