To further help moms on the journey through motherhood, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation has special opportunities for moms at Overbrook Catholic School and St. Cecilia Academy, said Sister Dominic, OP, president of Overbrook Catholic and St. Cecilia.
These include yearly retreat weekends at the Bethany Retreat House in Dickson, and twice-yearly book studies.
“One of things I love about this group is the span of ages, from young moms to empty-nesters,” Sister Dominic said, who led the most recent book study on C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. “The conversation ranges from catechesis to history to living as a Catholic today and the challenge of raising children in this culture.
“The wisdom that comes from lived experience is shared through the generations and deep bonds are formed as we encourage one another in the Christian life,” she said.
Cristin Barkley, mother to 13-year-old Colette, an eighth-grade student at St. Cecilia, and 10-year-old Liam, a fifth-grade student at Overbrook Catholic, said the book club in particular was an “invaluable” resource, especially since she and her family only recently moved to Nashville.
“I’ve never really had family around when moving to a new place, so always my first priority in moving is finding a community because we need it,” Barkley said. “It’s so necessary, and in finding a community of like-minded women, there is always something fruitful to be gained through those relationships and having that support.”
Minette Gallmann, mother to 7-year-old Adeline, a first-grade student at Overbrook Catholic; 4-year-old Eloise, a pre-kindergarten student at Overbrook Catholic; 2-year-old Cecilia, and 3-month-old Henry, agreed.
“Having that community of mothers was amazing,” she said. “I’m in the younger phase of mothering, but there were also mothers with older children or just a wider range of children, so just to get their insight and support and guidance, I just found that to be very helpful and likeminded.
“Everyone in there has similar values and goals for their children,” Gallmann concluded. “It’s encouraging to be around those other like-minded mothers that can help you on your journey of motherhood as we lead our children to Christ.”
Bethany Retreat House has several opportunities for all to join in a retreat. The yearly women’s retreat led by the Dominican Campus each year is primarily for Overbrook Catholic and St. Cecilia moms, but others are welcome when there is room.
For more information, visit www.nashvilledominican.org/apostolate/where-we-serve/bethany-retreat-house/ or email bethanyretreat@op-tn.org.
For Dominican Campus moms looking for more information about the women’s book club or to be added to the list, email Peggy Hunt, development assistant of the Dominican Campus, at huntp@dominicancampus.org.
