On February 19 and 21, 2022, two Sisters directed a Morning Star Mini-Camp in El Paso, Texas!

Hosted by Immaculate Conception Parish, the Sisters brought the Marian spirit of the camp to about forty girls from the parish. The two-day schedule included everything from Mass and Rosary to arts & crafts, sports, singing, and the highlight event—ribbon dancing!

Everyone had a great time, and we look forward to returning in the future. Special thanks to Fr. O’Neill, Nicholla Arriola, the Knights of Columbus, and all the moms who helped make this event possible! We couldn’t have done it without you. Additional thanks to Our Lady of the Assumption Parish for allowing us to use their school facilities for this event. May Our Lady Morning Star guide and bless you and all her campers!

During the month of October, 2021, three Sisters took Morning Star Camp on the road and traveled to Fort Wayne, Indiana for a mini-camp.

Hosted by Sacred Heart Parish, the Sisters brought the Marian spirit of the camp to about twenty-five girls from the area. A concentrated approach to our broader camp program, the weekend schedule included everything from daily Mass and Benediction to crafts, sports, and singing.

Although our official camp season is long over for the year, it was an added bonus to squeeze in one more for this energetic group! Everyone had a great time, and we look forward to returning again in the future. Special thanks to all who helped make this event possible! May Our Lady Morning Star guide and bless all her campers!

For the third year in a row, the Sisters have travelled to Louisiana during February break to bring some Morning Star activities and spirit! Each year the numbers of attendees have steadily grown!
Morning Star Louisiana 2021This year’s event took place from February 11-14 and over 80 girls ages 10-17 took part. The difference of this third year was that… we really didn’t need to bring the spirit – it was already there! The little spark of Morning Star has become a blaze of love, faith, friends and fun in the deep south!
The key to Morning Star, no matter where it is, is the simplicity of the program. Daily Mass, Rosary and catechism are the glue that make all the crafts, music, activities, games and competitions of the program the exceptional experience that it is!
As we approach the 40th anniversary of MSC, its so refreshing to know that Louisiana has added to the ranks of thousands of happy campers over the years! As we say in our brochure… Love the Experience ~ Live the Spirit! Louisiana seems to be doing just that!

“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single… star!” … that is, the Morning Star! COVID-19 closed the camp but did not stop the spirit!

The Sisters (and campers, too) were extremely disappointed to hear that even though New Hampshire State allowed summer camps to open with 14 pages of restrictions, the officials in the town in which Morning Star Camp is located closed all camps in the town.

Sister Katherine Maria, Sister Superior, addressing the campers about the cancellation of camp told them online, “It was truly heartbreaking for us to make this announcement. After months of being cooped up due to the COVID pandemic, to cancel the opportunity for campers to enjoy their faith with other like-minded Catholics is devastating for us all here. Morning Star Camp has provided weeks of fun and faith in a Catholic environment for thirty-nine years straight, and this is the first time we have been forced to cancel.”

“But the light of Our Lady, the Morning Star will prevail through the apparent darkness. We are not going to let the summer go by without doing something for the campers and keeping the Morning Star spirit alive,” Sister Marie–Celine, the new camp directress said, “if campers can’t come to camp, let’s bring camp to them!” And the idea for a “camp-in-a-box” began.

The Sisters immediately began creating boxes designed specifically for each camper’s age group. Each box included either a spiritual classic book for the older girls or inspirational coloring books for the younger campers; along with explanations and hand-outs for their group’s religion classes. The Sisters prepared colorful craft packages with lanyards, leather kit projects, bracelets and beads, yarn and paper items. They spent hours filming their music activities, singing and games, and put them all onto an instructional DVD, which the campers could watch at home. Although they weren’t able to include campfires in the box, the Sisters did record some campfire songs on CD to send along. Before sealing up the boxes, the right size t-shirt with the camp motto was put in, along with a personalized dog tag, bandana, water bottle full of candy and a handwritten card from a Sister, and for the finale – a handful of confetti!

Campers also received online talks by the Sisters, some fun videos like “morning wake-up bugle,” and Compline, where they could join the Sisters in their evening prayers. And last but not least campers were encouraged to interact with each other by sending in photos and entering the virtual talent show. “Talent Night is one of the highlights of every summer camp week,” said Sister Marie-Bernard, “and it’s important for the girls to share their talent with others. It inspires people to seek and develop their own God-given talents.”

It took the Sisters one month, to the day, to create, pack and send out over two hundred and seventy-five Morning Star Camp Boxes, reaching campers in twenty-four of the fifty US States. The response from the campers who received their boxes has been overwhelming with emails, cards and calls.

Despite our inability to meet this year, the Morning Star spirit of “To Jesus through Mary” continues shining through the box until we resume camp next year.

Two sisters brought the spirit of Morning Star Camp to Sacred Heart Parish in Fort Wayne, Indiana, earlier this month! Many of the campers had attended last year and dove right into the packed program of prayer and activities. From Rosary and Religion class to Arts and Crafts and “Campfire Singing,” the girls learned to “Follow Mary, the Morning Star” in all of their actions.

Each of the three days included fun games and competitions, interspersed with times for prayer. Campers learned the Mercy Chaplet and also lead the decades of the Rosary with specific intentions. The days were full and happy, and lots of memories were made along the way! Our Lady walks among her campers!

The Sisters were so happy to bring the prayer, catechism Morning Star fun to the campers of Sacred Heart Parish, and we pray their hearts have been brought closer to Mary, the Morning Star.

Enjoy photos from Morning Star Indiana below!

Four Sisters followed the Morning Star to the bayous of Louisiana for a southern-style Morning Star Camp again this year! A vivacious group of 61 campers and 8 counselors brought the trustworthy program to life during the 4-day program held at the Camp Abbey facility in Covington LA.

Thanks to local pastors, the group was blessed to start each day with the traditional Latin Mass in the Chapel on the grounds. Each day was off to a great start… and thanks to the time-honored program and some great cajun cooking (and King Cake) everything else just flowed along! Campers were housed in four cozy bunkhouses and a staff of 8 young women assisted the Sisters as counselors. From music and dancing, catechism, crafts and sports to games, relays, campfire songs, evening Rosary and even a rainy night Movie ~ it was simply the wholesome fun that make up Morning Star memories!

Special thanks to Gretchen R. and Jeanne K. who spearheaded this event and did everything necessary to make it run smoothly! May Our Lady Morning Star shine down on you with her choicest blessings! We are looking forward to MSC South 2021 already!

Enjoy the short video from Morning Star Louisiana 2020 below!