Sister Charity Nkwera is a Benedictine Sister from St. Gertrude Monastery in Imiliwaha, Tanzania. She came to us in 2020, transferring from a college in Wisconsin to complete her education at The College of St. Scholastica. She earned a BA in Psychology in 2022, and this May completed her Master’s in Social Work. She is now on her way home after nine years, leaving us very happy for her but missing her already.
Before leaving she wanted to take a boat ride on Lake Superior. On Saturday, July 6, thanks to the generosity of Sue and Bill Higgins, the Higgins and Sisters Charity, Beverly Raway, and Dorene King spent the afternoon on the Lake in a 36-foot sailboat. Bill and Sue picked them up at the Monastery in a vintage 1950 Jeepster Willys and drove them to a marina on Park Point. They were just in time to motor through the shipping canal, under the lift bridge, and out onto the open water.
It was perfect sailing weather: warm and sunny with light winds, easy waves, and a thunderstorm at the end to make things exciting. Sister Charity had some experience with boats and learned quickly how to handle the wheel and sails and tack the ship as the wind changed direction. The Sisters returned home exhilarated just in time for Evening Prayer.
Afterwards we gathered to pray our travel prayer and then sing a blessing. We will miss her warm smile, her sense of humor and fun, and her compassionate, loving heart.
