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An Evening of Grace  Email Article To a Friend View Printable Version 

By Associate Therese Curotto & Sister Kay McMullen

It was my good fortune a few months ago to be invited by Libby and Roger Hagman to their home for an evening supper with Sisters from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Congo. With 20 or so Notre Dame California Associates and Sisters, I listened to the startling stories of their courageous work on behalf of children and families in Zimbabwe.

Sister Marie McLoughlin told of the difficulties of preparing new Sisters for their ministries and continuing the work of the Sisters in a politically oppressive, violence-torn country where shelves in stores are empty, people are hungry, and electricity and water can be off for days at a time.  She said that the Sisters are most grateful for the hundreds of boxes of food and basic supplies that have been sent by Sisters of Notre Dame and Associates in California. With our packages, they can help feed not just the Sisters, but the children who come to school without food and neighbors whose pantry shelves are empty.  Most of all, she told us it was comforting to know that someone cared and they were not forgotten. 

Sr. Liliane Sweko posing by boxes of food sent from the U.S.
Sr. Liliane Sweko posing by boxes of food sent from the U.S.
Sr. Marie than introduced Sr. Liliane Sweko, former novice directress in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and now with the new Congregational Leadership Team. Months before when I was helping to pack the hundreds of boxes we sent to these Sisters, I had tried to imagine how they would receive them.  Sr. Liliane did not disappoint me.  She spoke in a spirit of sincere gratitude, telling how wonderful it was to receive these boxes with the most basic food, soap, children's books, pencils and clothing. Her stories were of hunger, poverty, and the Sisters' fears for the future of their country, yet her passion and love for her novices and the good people of Zimbabwe shone through. In every revolution and in every oppressive government, young adults become targets and I realized how much the novices need her loving, strong and wise guidance.  I was humbled in her presence.

Associate Therese and Sr. Jannet
Associate Therese and Sr. Jannet
Sr. Marie next introduced Sr. Jannet Tambo, a young teacher.  Sr. Jannet told of terrible experiences she and other students endured while trying to complete their education.  One time the school dining room was without food for days.  At first she wondered how she would study and pass her exams when she was so hungry, but then she began to wonder if she would live through this.  Finally she was able to make a cell phone call to other Sisters who sent over two of our boxes.  Sr. Jannet immediately ate two of the granola bars, then shared the rest with other students.  And, through all this time, she studied by candlelight because the electricity was out for days.

Now Sr. Jannet has graduated and is excited about teaching her first class with children of all ages and abilities in an overcrowded, poorly equipped school. She hopes for chalk so she can teach and for flip-flops so the children who walk miles to school won't have to go barefoot.

I am proud to be a Notre Dame Associate and am fortunate and blessed to be part of this community.

Editor's Note:  While in the U.S. Sr. Jannet received several gifts including clothing for herself.  Her favorite gift? Boxes of multi-colored chalk for the classroom! Soon after this evening, Therese purchased dozens and dozens of flip-flop sandals which have now found their way to Zimbabwe.


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