Pcc Visit-what To Bring Them?

[AveMariaPurissima]

As others have said, religious rely on God's Providence to supply their needs. They will be grateful for anything you bring.

[andibc]

Resist the urge to bring anything other than the office supplies. If they asked for those, they need them. Spend the money you would have spent on fruit on extra stamps. If there are 23 sisters writing home about twice a month, that's a lot of stamps. The Franciscans near us are supported by the community and we all think to bring fresh fruit and vegetables. None of us thought to donate stamps and office supplies until just recently when some of our children entered religious life. You could donate some nice pens too, the kind that glide when you write with them. People tend to donate the cheapest pens. By bringing just what they have asked for, you will be showing humility and obedience too.

[emmaberry]

[quote name='andibc' timestamp='1340317015' post='2447210']
Resist the urge to bring anything other than the office supplies....By bringing just what they have asked for, you will be showing humility and obedience too.
[/quote]



Thanks andibc! The above quote gave me a lot to ponder on. I am just worried that they might need more stuff but not want to overburden me. I love your math logic about the stamps though!:

[quote name='andibc' timestamp='1340317015' post='2447210']
Spend the money you would have spent on fruit on extra stamps. If there are 23 sisters writing home about twice a month, that's a lot of stamps.
[/quote]

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='emmaberry' timestamp='1340338022' post='2447325']
Thanks andibc! The above quote gave me a lot to ponder on. I am just worried that they might need more stuff but not want to overburden me. I love your math logic about the stamps though!:
[/quote]

Honestly, I don't think it's horrible if you bring more than they asked for. They are a mendicant community that lives off the donations of others, so I'm sure they have stuff they need besides office supplies. It's up to you what you bring, but you are not bound to obedience because you are not part of the community. Just my 2 cents worth...

[maximillion]

Take what they ask, and what gives you joy to give...........

[mantellata]

Office supplies are obviously what they need -- but I know from experience that Sisters are reticent to ask for too much of any one person -- people are so generous and you don't want to take advantage of them. I also know Sisters are always happy with [u]whatever[/u] they get. You are not under obedience to them.... so you do not need to worry about that -- it's not like you are buying them meat (which they don't eat) or something else that will be more of a nuisance than a help!

[maximillion]

Just a wee note.

We used to be sent/offered the most amazing things, but the best was a couple of tons of bananas offered us by the port authority.
(There was a drought and our cows were starving - the bananas were not fit for human consumption but our cows could eat them. Ready made milk shake!!!!)

We were never so grateful as we were for this gift as it saved us having to slaughter our lovely cows.

[emmaberry]

Thanks everyone--maximillion, God was truly watching over your community's needs!

The problem, though, is that it gives me so much joy to give them everything they need/want--ESPECIALLY since I have a strong feeling this might be the community for me. I feel like I might be taking care of my future sisters..

[Gemma]

local grocery store gift cards
gift cards of any amount

Blessings,
Gemma

[emmaberry]

Thank you Gemma!

I have another question, and if anyone reads this I would love for them to reply ASAP because I leave at the crack of dawn tomorrow....and that means am going to bed in a few minutes. Do guest rooms outside the cloister usually have towels?

Edit: Thank you to anyone that might reply, and please pray for my discernment as I visit the Roswell PCCs! I will be almost heartbroken if this visit does not enlighten me in one way or another. Be assured of my prayers for y'all as well. God bless!

Edited June 25, 2012 by emmaberry

[Strictlyinkblot]

Over here in Ireland + UK, yes. To the best of my knowledge any linen and towels you need will be provided.

[mantellata]

I've never visited a community where they didn't.

[emmaberry]

Thanks strictlyinkblot and mantellata! They do have towels. Also, I think I am going to apply to this community.

Thanks for any prayers anyone might've sent my way-they're working, so keep em coming!!!!

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='emmaberry' timestamp='1340736942' post='2449131']
Thanks strictlyinkblot and mantellata! They do have towels. Also, I think I am going to apply to this community.

Thanks for any prayers anyone might've sent my way-they're working, so keep em coming!!!!
[/quote]

Wow! That's wonderful. Did you have a sense of "coming home"?

[EmilyAnn]

[quote name='emmaberry' timestamp='1340736942' post='2449131']
Thanks strictlyinkblot and mantellata! They do have towels. Also, I think I am going to apply to this community.

Thanks for any prayers anyone might've sent my way-they're working, so keep em coming!!!!
[/quote]

Yay! Which community is it, if you don't mind sharing?

[AveMariaPurissima]

[quote name='emmaberry' timestamp='1340736942' post='2449131']
Thanks strictlyinkblot and mantellata! They do have towels. Also, I think I am going to apply to this community.

Thanks for any prayers anyone might've sent my way-they're working, so keep em coming!!!!
[/quote]
Yay!!!!!

[TheresaThoma]

[quote name='emmaberry' timestamp='1340736942' post='2449131']
Thanks strictlyinkblot and mantellata! They do have towels. Also, I think I am going to apply to this community.

Thanks for any prayers anyone might've sent my way-they're working, so keep em coming!!!!
[/quote]
If you are ok with sharing we (ok I) would love to hear how it went in more detail!



and YAY!!!

[emmaberry]

The Roswell Poor Clare Colletines! I felt such a sense of coming home on my drive... Mother said to go home and if the nuns and my visit are incessantly in my thoughts then that means this is my new home. I wasn't awestruck like I thought I would be, it was more of a quiet, peaceful 'I could enter this community and die here' feeling that struck me. Not in a morbid way, just recognizing that I could live and die behind these very walls and that would be okay, as long as its God's will for me, and I think it is. As Mother Mary Francis said on enclosure: 'God is enough, God is enough, and nothing else is enough!'

One thing this has made me realize is that it really is wise (in most circumstances) to check out religious communities near you before you start looking at ones that are across the world. God calls where He wills, but I think often it is more close to home than we initially suppose.

God is so good!

Edited June 27, 2012 by emmaberry

[Totally Franciscan]

Indeed, He is good! I wish I had known Mother Mary Francis; pictures of her always bring a smile to my face. I have always wanted to be a Poor Clare Colletine, but now I am too old. Life does have its twists and turns, so perhaps it was not meant to be. Prayers for you emmaberry and for your vocation. I am so very happy for you!

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='emmaberry' timestamp='1340757646' post='2449269']
The Roswell Poor Clare Colletines! I felt such a sense of coming home on my drive... Mother said to go home and if the nuns and my visit are incessantly in my thoughts then that means this is my new home. I wasn't awestruck like I thought I would be, it was more of a quiet, peaceful 'I could enter this community and die here' feeling that struck me. Not in a morbid way, just recognizing that I could live and die behind these very walls and that would be okay, as long as its God's will for me, and I think it is. As Mother Mary Francis said on enclosure: 'God is enough, God is enough, and nothing else is enough!'

One thing this has made me realize is that it really is wise (in most circumstances) to check out religious communities near you before you start looking at ones that are across the world. God calls where He wills, but I think often it is more close to home than we initially suppose.

God is so good!
[/quote]

Wow! How blessed are you to feel called to the place where Mother Mary Francis lived! I love 'A Right to Be Merry!' In fact, for a while after I read it, I thought I was called to Poor Clare Colettine life because it left me speechless. I know I'm not called to cloistered life but I respect all those who are. Prayers!