Welcome Home, Pat H. and Monica

With great joy, awe and appreciation Sisters Monica Lubitz and Patricia Haire returned from Gulu safely last week to the Congregational Center in St. Louis . On Wednesday, August 6th , the Feast of the Transfiguration, they shared with us, the Congregational Leadership Team, and with a number of the Sisters serving in the St. Louis area, some of their experiences and learnings from meeting and being with the people of Gulu during the months of June and July, 2008. They shared meals daily at Archbishp Odama's table and traveled to their possible new ministry site in Amuru with (auxiliary) Bishop Sabino, who made delicious expresso and pasta for them on his portable outdoor stove!

While Pat heard the war stories of many individual primary and secondary school students and teachers, Monica cleaned, held and cared for orphan babies at nearby St. Jude's Orphanage and assisted child mothers with their babies at the health center. Members of the Congregational Team enjoyed welcoming Pat and Monica back, shared informal conversations at meals with them and treated them to "Fiddler on the Roof" performed at the Muny.

As Monica and Pat continue to share their experiences of being in Gulu, may we all continue to keep Archbishop Odama, Bishop Sabino, and all the pastoral leaders and people of Gulu and their efforts for enduring peace and resettlement in our prayers, inviting God’s great compassion and healing love to be fully present and active in all.

Thanks to all of you for helping us share this good news

-Susan, Franny, Elizabeth, Catherine and Laura

Photos: The Sisters and their driver, George, enjoyed American food at the Sheraton in Kampala before taking Monica and Pat to the airport for their trip home; and a street in Kampala. From the nearly 800 photos (!) brought home by Monica!)