Each summer, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and Associates have an opportunity to gather at Camp Maria Retreat Center in Leonardtown, Maryland, for prayer, rest, recreation, and time together. This year, eight Sisters and seven Associates traveled to Camp Maria for the annual vacation, held Aug. 12 to 20. Associates from the surrounding area also joined them throughout the week.
For Sister Teresa Kotturan, the days offered a welcome change of pace. She enjoyed morning walks of about two miles, swimming, and quiet time along the water.
She especially appreciated sitting on the pier in the morning, looking out across the water before the heat of the day set in.
“You know how the waters connect us to the whole world?” Sister Teresa said. She then described the opportunity to sit by the water and simply “be at peace.”
Prayer was an important part of the gathering. Sisters and Associates took turns preparing evening prayer, with local Associates joining them as well. Sister Teresa led one prayer service at the pier centered on reflections about water. On another evening, the group celebrated Mass.
There was also plenty of time for recreation. The group swam, took boat rides and went kayaking. One outing took them by boat to St. Clement’s Island. During another adventure, several participants kayaked along the shoreline looking for fossilized shark teeth.
Meals also became part of the community experience. Local Associates prepared and brought an evening meal, while others joined the Sisters and Associates during their time at Camp Maria.
The gathering was especially meaningful for Sister Carol McKean, who returned to Camp Maria for the first time since 2008. Her history with the camp stretches across decades. She served as a counselor, helped with children’s programs, served on the board, and later spent 10 years as director.
“Right away, I saw that it was being kept up and that there were changes for the good,” Sister Carol said. “I think they have again responded to the needs of the time.”
She was pleased by how well the camp has been cared for and noticed its increased attention to care for creation, including recycling and composting. She also spoke about the beauty of the grounds and the positive spirit among the staff.
The new Nature Center impressed everyone. Sister Teresa, who serves on Camp Maria’s board, spoke enthusiastically about the center and the opportunities it offers visitors to explore and learn about the camp’s surroundings. A frog pond has developed near the center, creating another opportunity to experience the local ecosystem.
During the Sisters/Associate vacation, Camp Maria also hosted a special gathering for people who have supported the retreat center. The afternoon included lunch, a presentation about Camp Maria’s history and mission, tours of the grounds and Nature Center, and Mass outdoors. The gathering gave Sisters and Associates an opportunity to spend time with people who have shared in Camp Maria’s life through the years.
Sister Carol’s and Sister Teresa’s thoughts on the week offer just a few perspectives from a week filled with experiences and memories. Each Sister and Associate brings a personal history with Camp Maria. For some, that history reaches back many decades. For others, the connection is newer. Each experience adds to the rich story of a place that holds special meaning for the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and Associates.
The annual week at Camp Maria is a cherished opportunity to return to a place where generations have gathered for prayer, recreation, community and renewal. Sisters and Associates look forward to reconnecting with the camp and with one another, while creating new memories alongside those they carry from years past.
Camp Maria continues to hold a special place in the life and history of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. Its story reaches across generations, from the many people who experienced the camp years ago to those finding meaning there today. As Camp Maria continues to grow and respond to the needs of the times, it remains a place where new generations can experience the beauty, peace, and sense of community that have made it so beloved for so many years.