Nuns Minister via Running
by Sister Julie on February 15, 2008
My colleague Sharon passed this newsletter clipping on to me … it is a “Student Spotlight” featuring Sister Mary Agnes Dombroski, a student at John Paul the Great University in San Diego.
I love these nuns — they exemplify the call of religious to go where the needs are and minister in whatever way is necessary to help people flourish as the children of God that they are.
In Rochester, New Hampshire , several children are lacing up their running shoes and getting ready to bolt out their front door. They’re heading to the St. Charles Children’s Home 5-K, a fundraiser for their home. Getting ready to do the same are two nuns clad in blue and white habits who live with and care for the children. Their order, the Daughters of Mary, Mother of Healing Love, runs the home for children who are waiting for adoption or to be reunited with their parents. Many have come from a variety of crisis situations, and the Sisters found that running helps the children deal with behavioral issues and excel at other sports, which helps them in school.
3,000 miles away, Sr. Mary Agnes Dombroski, wearing the same blue and white habit, is studying Entrepreneurial Business at JP Catholic. She plans to use her education to help her order run as efficiently as possible. Since 2003, Sr. Mary Agnes has been the coordinator of the St. Charles Children’s Home 5-K. The Sisters and the children started entering races for fun and eventually a local insurance company offered to host a race as a fundraiser for the home. (source)
Read more in the article “Healthy Habits: Nuns in New Hampshire use the power of running to help troubled kids” published at RunnersWorld.com.
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I’ve seen these ladies on TV before. They have been around for a while. They do good work. I wish I could get my kid to run around a little more. She’s quite active. But nonetheless, a little run couldn’t hurt!
She can be very intense and talkative. They are two good traits – but boy can she tire me out!
d.
Wow! This shows not only witness but stamina! What better way to be with kids than to run with them, and be able to keep up!