MaryCateTabor

While Marian is continuing on during the COVID-19 pandemic with precautions and a plethora of changes, one thing is missing: the physical presence of the Servants of Mary in the building. One Sister who Marian girls once saw anywhere from the lunchroom to Campus Ministry is now a few walls away in the Servite Motherhouse.

To keep herself safe along with all of the other Sisters, Sr. Jackie Thorn continues her job from the comfort of her room in the Sisters’ convent. She does her job as she normally would but through Zoom. She regularly Zooms into meetings with Campus Ministry to talk about upcoming events and contacts people like priests and lectors for the upcoming Masses. 

“I have really missed the pastoral care she has for the students; she always does an amazing job checking up on the well-being of the students,” Campus Minister Deacon Kevin Fuller said. “It is going to be nice for Mrs. Kolterman and I to have our third voice in Campus Ministry back in the building.”

The Campus Ministry team and Marian community won’t have to wait much longer, because the Servants of Mary received the first round of the COVID-19 vaccine at the beginning of the year and recently received the second round on Feb. 9. Two weeks after Sr. Jackie gets her second vaccine, she will be allowed to gradually come back into the building to continue her work for the school and student body, bringing the community together along with the other Sisters. 

“Marian doesn’t feel the same without their loving presence in the building,” junior Annie Ellerbeck said. 

“We are so lucky to have them as a part of our community, and I can’t wait to see them in the hallways soon,” Ellerbeck said. 

Sr. Jackie shares the same appreciation for the students. “I really miss all the girls and being able to say hello in the hallways,” Sr. Jackie said. She has not been out much since March, besides the occasional run to the grocery store and to get medicine. 

Being stuck inside, the Sisters are trying to make the most of the time they have on their hands. 

“I have added more prayer time to my day and try to go to the chapel two extra times every day at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.,” Sr. Jackie said. The Sisters got to spend Christmas together, because they were not able to see their families. They exchanged gifts and got to have the Christmas party they do every year.  

Soon Sr. Jackie and the Servites who work in advancement will be joining the student body and staff back in the building. Until then, Sr. Jackie continues to send her weekly prayer emails at the start of the week. “Remember, God loves you,” Sr. Jackie said. 

When you soon see Sr. Jackie in the halls, don’t forget to say hello and give her a wave.