FALL FOLIAGE DRIVE AND TOUR
Affords a Taste of Monastic Life
By Dan and Yvonne Sheek
Peacefulness, admiration and delightfulness are but a few of the words to describe the latest activity of the Indiana Classic Car Club arranged by Bev and Don McCallum. The William’s Truck Stop in Greenwood was the meeting place (on Saturday , October 20), for the Fall Foliage Drive and Tour.
The day was filled with opportunities to visit other members. Though Tom and Kay Metzger couldn’t take the tour due to Kay’s father’s illness they came to get acquainted with us. They became members of the club on the previous day. We all admired their ’35 Auburn Cabriolet.
Little did we suspect that our destination, the Oldenburg Monastery, and the home of the Sisters of St. Francis, would inspire us so because of the beauty, serenity and goal-oriented leadership. We were greeted by Juanita Kaiser, Director of Development, and Sister Therese Gillam. Sister is the President of the only Catholic High School in southeastern Indiana. It’s renewal and change from an all girl’s academy to a co-ed school has saved the Indianapolis Diocese millions of dollars.
We learned about the community’s foundress, previous attire and present dress. Though originally a teaching order the community’s mission is changing as well as it’s use of buildings. (i.e.) The Novitiate, previously used for two-year-nine-month training of religious life, may be used for a Spirituality Center. The Health Care Center has recently been renovated to provide a warm, family-like group living.
A special visit to the Heritage Room (not usually given to visitors) was allowed so we could view the artwork, china and music compositions that resulted from the talents of the Sisters in the Community. The Library exposed us to the great literary geniuses such as Vergil, Shakespeare, Bronson, Tennyson, Plato, King David and Poe. Their images were painted on the ceiling of the library. Two magnificent antique wooden bookcases flanked the walls at the end of the library.
Sister Latitia Meyer, a gracious and knowledgeable host narrated the first part of the tour which included the furnishings in the front parlors, the artwork and paintings of the Sisters that line the main hallway. Five of Sister Latitia’s paintings were among the collection.
The renovation of the Basilica like church (1901) took place in 1992. It is one of the few monastic renovations that has maintained a great deal of the original marble. The marble has been used in constructing the altar for the liturgy. The statues remained and gave one a sense of change but not complete revolution. The Baptismal Font was in the center of the apex of the church. Sister explained that priest and married persons receive a sacrament by Holy Orders and by the Sacrament of Matrimony. Religious women use the sacrament of Baptism to celebrate their dedication to God. Sister entertained questions about the stained glass windows and the renovation. We were also shown several of the chapels: academy, the convent adoration chapel and the novitiate chapel.
Sister Latitia shared with us she had other car clubs on tours and proudly boasted that she had received a ride in one of them. (This member feels remiss that her graciousness was not rewarded with another such ride…perhaps when we return to the hallowed place).
Members were inspired by the visit and asked our host how they were able to finance the planned future renovations. The response included fund-raisers, campaigns and individual donors comprise the source of income. We are grateful for the hospitality and the generous sharing of the Sisters’ time in giving us a memorable tour.
We reluctantly bade them farewell and headed to Wagner’s where platters of fried chicken, bowls of tasty green beans, slaw, potatoes and gravy were welcomed. The McCallums, Perkins, Sheeks, Salmon, Larchs, Deers, Dougherty, Reynolds, McKnights, Titlow, Vogel, Storrs and Henry did justice to the meal which was topped by a choice of fruit cobblers.
The beauty of the day and the Monastery caused one to reflect beyond antique cars…though one could not be but impressed by the cars as they were driven from Main Street in Greenwood through Boggstown, Shelbyville, Greensburg and Batesville.