When dedicated volunteers Sherry and Mike Durica searched the internet for the “perfect Christmas gift to give to nuns,” they soon realized that their idea of buying 75 small statues of Jesus or St. Joseph would be unwise because Sisters are showered with religious presents and often re-gift them to others.
Instead, the retired couple arranged for an Italian feast for more than 70 Sisters to brighten their Christmas in the Motherhouse. Sherry and Mike donated a buffet of lasagna, pasta, meatballs, sausage, chicken and salad from the Olive Garden.
“The Sisters were overwhelmed with their generosity and expressed their gratitude in prayer before the meal,” Sister Colleen Crossen says. “Sherry and Mike are filled with kindness for our Sisters, and we truly appreciate their goodness to us.”
After being welcomed by the Sisters’ warm hospitality at Mass in the spring of 2019, the couple became passionate about helping the Congregation. They served as Eucharistic lay ministers at Sunday Mass, joined the Sisters of St. Joseph Auxiliary, made grocery runs for our Sisters, drove them to appointments, and, during the pandemic, they are delivering pizzas to local convents.
Acknowledging their own blessings, Sherry and Mike exude humility and joy in their ability to help the Sisters with acts of kindness. But it’s what the couple receives from the Sisters that sustains their volunteer energy. “We get so much spiritually, words of support, prayers for our family, and just the smiles on their faces, ” Mike says, and Sherry agrees: “Each one of the Sisters not only lights up the room, but she also lights up our spirits.”