Owatonna is its own weird wacky world. I am convinced that there is some Midwestern small town secret order of society that requires a password. Or at least a graduation party.
In June, for basically a month, the world stops spinning and we all congregate in garages and back yards to celebrate our graduates. I have never seen anything like it. If you talk to anyone who is from outside Owatonna, they will agree with you. No one does graduation parties like Owatonna.
I have noticed that the poor graduate when hosting at her home is on sentry duty. Not really able to sit and enjoy the party she stands at the entrance and graciously greets each guest. I see in this stance a kind of radical hospitality. The one we celebrate marks graduation as a servant leader. He gives thanks to the family and friends, teachers and peers that have been so important to him, and we celebrate not only the graduate but all the bonds of relationship that keep us together.
If you are looking for a model of service and love maybe the Owatonna graduation party phenomenon is not a bad place to start. We help each other out. We share table fellowship. We begin with our family and friends but the joy spills out into the streets. As one person pointed out, there is always someone at the party who even the graduate barely knows but who is welcomed just the same.
Blessed Mother Teresa says,
God has created us so we do small things with great love. I believe in that great love, that comes, or should come from our heart, should start at home: with my family, my neighbors across the street, those right next door. And this love should then reach everyone.
Through the smallest simplest acts with those we know begins the spreading of the joy of the Kingdom of God.
Blessings in Christ,
Sr. Sarah Hennessey, FSPA
