Intern Insights

Strengthening Our Connections
By Jackie Lewis, Communications Office intern

During the past year that she has been living at the Motherhouse, S. Petra Mkongwa (right), an African Benedictine Sister of  St. Gertrude, has learned to crochet from S. Marie Irene Schneider.

Looking back the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati have always provided a safe haven for those in need and seeking shelter. They are women of love, freedom, education, justice and charity for all. Those core characteristics were experienced first hand by S. Petra Mkongwa. In August 2010, S. Petra traveled from New Jersey by way of Tanzania, Africa, to board with the Sisters of Charity while she attends the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio.

S. Petra is a member of the monastic African Benedictine Sisters of St. Gertrude in Tanzania, located in East Africa. She was born in the Uwemba Village, in the Iringa Region. There she attended primary and secondary school. Sister’s parents and siblings work on their farm where they grow corn, beans, potatoes and other fruits and vegetables. The farm is worked solely by hand and everyone pitches in. There is no electricity or running water.

“Life in Tanzania is challenging mainly due to lack of electricity, schools, telephones, computers and other technologies,” S. Petra said.

In August 2007, S. Petra left the comfort of home and her Benedictine community to pursue a degree in education. She spoke little English; the small amount she did speak was taught to her by her community. S. Petra attended the Assumption College of Sisters in Mendham, N.J., taking general education courses and learning to fluently speak English. She received her associate’s degree in May 2010.

In August that same year, Sister began her studies at the College of Mount St. Joseph to become a teacher. She is currently taking general education classes and hopes to graduate in December with a bachelor’s degree in education. Upon graduation S. Petra hopes to return to Tanzania, where she will teach English to those in her village and to her religious community.

When asked how she came to live at the Motherhouse, S. Petra replied that when she was accepted at the college she was told that she would be living in the dorms. She learned that a group of women religious lived close to the college. Missing home and her community, S. Petra wrote to then president of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, S. Barbara Hagedorn, to see if it would be possible for her to stay with the Sisters while she completed her studies. Her request was granted.

In her spare time S. Petra enjoys going to concerts and walking the grounds of the Motherhouse. She feels a strong connection to the College of Mount St. Joseph and to the Sisters who have welcomed her into their home.

“I have been blessed to be a student at the College of Mount St. Joseph and to live with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati,” S. Petra said. “These are special opportunities for me, not only to get a better education, but also to experience the lives of people in this country of advancement, liberty and democracy. The Sisters of Charity influence me through their lives and charism. I am very impressed with their love for one another as well as their generosity, kindness, understanding and sympathy to me and to others.”

Posted 8/4/11

 

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