A Great Week in Rochester

New Blessings From Rochester

Hello supporters of Carroll Headlighters! Yesterday was our day to work and play as a group. First, we went to a place called Bethany House, which is a house for women and women with children who need a place to stay, a warm meal, or help finding community resources. Being that there were 14 of us we were able to make quick work of some housekeeping and organizing. We were assisted by other volunteers that periodically stopped by, most with their own story of how Bethany house had been a resource for them in the past. One in particular was still searching for a job but took time every week to stop by and do what she could. The love and compassion that she had for her fellow women of Rochester was inspiring. After Bethany house we went to the National Museum of Play and later we found ourselves at a Barbeque joint called Sweet Lips. Everyone ate way too much and had a great time.
Thursday came so fast, and I can’t believe everything that we have seen, done and talked about over the past five days. Dan, Kelly and I all worked at Nazareth Elementary School run by The Sister’s of Saint Joseph. Being an elementary education major I have seen my fair share of schools, but this one by far has a special quality that I have yet to see anywhere else. The school is truly rooted in Catholicism and the idea that every child deserves an exceptional education. I think we also noticed right away the diversity within the school and the way it’s treated as a blessing, which is celebrated within each classroom. Seeing that will definitely be some of my favorite memories from this week. Kelly, Dan and I were all assigned separate grades to work with throughout the week. Dan was sent to 5th and 6th. Kelly was sent to 3rd and I was sent to Kindergarten! It has been an awesome experience for all three of us. These children have touched our hearts and have made us laugh so much.
Meeting the sisters has also been an amazing experience and I am awestruck at all the ways that these women serve the people of Rochester. Tonight we all ate dinner at the motherhouse of the Sisters and were given the opportunity to learn more about the Sister’s of Saint Joseph. All in all I think this week has been a huge blessing and I’m so glad I was able to be a part of it.
With love from Rochester,
Katherine M.