The theme this year for Abbey Youth Fest was “The Hour Has Come”. And for the four Sisters at St. Francis in Greenwood, MS that statement was true. The hour had come for us to again travel farther south.
-
- Sister Mary Ann is our trusty driver as we head out on this last day of Spring Break.
-
- Heading toward Jackson, MS and counting off the miles.
-
- We watch as the vegetation gets greener and flowering schrubs begin to appear.
-
- The theme for Abbey Youth Fest 2015 set the tone for the Key notespeakers and the entire festival.
-
- As we near Jackson, MS it seems like a good time to take a left onto Natchez Trace Parkway and see where it leads us.
-
- What luck! We found a Dairy Queen!
Are we there yet? is heard in the car!
-
- Approaching Slidell, LA and the turn off for highway 12. We are on track!
-
- We made it!
Welcome to Covington!
-
- Signs along the way; “Hurricane Evacuation Route”.
-
- Majestic Live Oak trees.
-
- You know you are in the South when you see the live resurrection plant growing on the Live Oak trees.
Now to find the Teresian Sisters residence.
-
- We safely arrive at the Retreat residence.
-
- We visited a beautiful chapel in the building where we stayed.
-
- Next came a prayer of thanks in their little adoration chapel.
-
- And finally we came to the St. Henry de Osso chapel on the Provincial grounds.
Now to explore the beautiful grounds.
-
- Fresh green color was evident as we walked around.
-
- Sister Mary Ann spotted this azalea bush from a distance and wanted to get a closer look.
-
- On and off we checked out the sky as rain was predicted for Abbey Youth Fest.
-
- We spotted something new and unknown on the grounds.
-
- A great display of “knees” from the cypress trees.
Saturday dawns and the rains are predicted now for after 7:00pm.
-
- It is misty and gray as we drive in to receive our booth space and directions.
-
- We arrive at our booth. Sister Elena inspects the area!
-
- Let’s get this trunk unpacked and the booth set up!
-
- Sister Kathleen has been using her creative gifts again and came up with a great banner effect to add extensions to the booth.
-
- Once the board was set up Sister Elena set out the vocation material we had received from the Motherhouse.
The sun is out and the temperatures are warming up.
-
- We are set up and ready for action.
-
- The stage is being tested by the preformers and keynote speakers.
-
- Other booths are being set up.
-
- Others are ready and waiting also.
-
- Time to circulate and meet a few young people.
At 10:00am the gates are scheduled to open and 4500 young adults will come running in to find the choice spot on the field to enjoy the day. We watched and waited to see Fr. Greg and some of our Greenwood youth group plus some others we knew. Finally, Sarah found us and we found the Greenwood group.
-
- It seemed an endless “sea” of youth.
And the adventure begins…!
-
- Sister Kathleen giving a Franciscan blessing to a young man.
-
- Sister Kathleen speaking to some of her former Greenwood Religious Ed young adults.
-
- Sister Elena giving a Franciscan blessing to a young woman who had just recieved the Vocaton Chaplet.
-
- Sisters Kathleen and Elena sharing our life with young people who stopped by to visit us.
-
- Sister Mary Ann placing a vocation chaplet on the wrist of a young woman while Sister Annette gives a blessing of St. Francis to another young lady.
-
- Sister Mary Ann about to give St. Francis’ blessing to this visitor to our booth.
-
- Our friend Sarah came to see how we were doing.
The day was full.
-
- Two huge screens project the activity on the stage to help the crowd see the speakers and performers.
-
- Many had come well prepared to spend the day , meet new friends and grow in their faith.
The weekend had been full and it was time to head home.
-
- Time to pack up and get on the road.
-
- Leaving Louisiana and entering our home state again.
-
- Rain and construction meet us on our way.
-
- Yes, 55 North. That is what we want. Many blessings of the weekend to count as the miles drop away.