After the recent construction in the courtyard at Sacred Heart Convent Sister Samuella Volk, OP, took it upon herself to fill in some of the areas with gravel and grass to help make the steep drop-offs near the new sidewalks less dangerous. Sister Samuella is a regular gardener of the grounds and maintains a lot of the flower beds around the building.
“We are all doing what we can in this time of crisis,” Sister Samuella said. “It’s going to be here awhile.”
Sage Advice
She cautioned against the temptation to try to return to "normal" too soon. While we all miss bonding with friends and family in a social setting, it's important to take every precaution.
Here's her straightforward advice: “Keep your distance and wear your mask.”
It is important to keep connected with the people you love. Sister Samuella said the best way to do that now might be a phone call. “I’m looking forward to seeing my sister face-to-face after months. We talk. We keep up on the news. It’s no big hardship to be apart, but when you think of people dying and their relatives dying, that is suffering.” Check-ins with family and friends needs to be a regular activity in your day.
Connecting with nature will help your attitude, too, along with a little exercise, like gardening. These activities give you a different perspective while you practice self-care. Time in the garden allows moments to be with God through prayer. Being down-to-earth, literally in the dirt, can make the most ordinary of tasks special when you are part of the Earth community.
Love Sister Samuella, such a kind lady. God Bless You Sister ! Sister Aniceta Skube was my connection to Sister Samuella 🙏
Sr. Samuella,
You look great! Be well and take good care!
Sheila Shusterich
Duluth
I so love My Aunt Sister Jean. She is such an inspiration to/for our family. ❤️
Sister, You taught my brother, Scott Falkenhan, in 1st grade, then took care of my daughter, Cindy, at Fortin Villa! We love you always! xo🥰🕊🌟✌🏼Jill Falkenhan Kane
Sr. Samuella is a great model of what it means to be a Dominican Sister.
I thank God for her and for all she has taught me over the years.
Our family is beyond blessed to have Sister Jean and her beautiful inspiration, encouragement, prayer, example and life journey. Her beautiful soul moves mountains. I love you, Sister Jean!
~Renee
I love Sr Samuella. She is an inspiration to live life to the fullest. I promise I will visit when it is safe again. God bless you sister and the rest of the Dominican sisters. Nini Saner.
I’m wondering if this is the Sr. Samuella who was my first grade teacher at St. Patrick’s Grade School back in the ’50s. So wonderful to see news about you!
The one and the same!
I’m blessed to see Sr. Samuella a few times each week as she visits my office in Siena Hall. Throughout the last twenty years, she has been a frequent visitor and I have admired her love of nature, gardening, and her vocation as a Dominican Sister. The organization I work for, Theresians International. has St. Therese of Lisieux as patroness. Sr. Sam embodies St. Therese’s call for us to do small things with great love and to make love, loved. I always wonder how many miles Sr. Sam must walk in a day without ever leaving the Motherhouse. She spends her days taking care of this one and that one, and always with a beautiful smile.