Sisters' Night Out

On Tuesday, May 6, for the 28th year, over 100 religious sisters gathered at Willow Bowling Center for Sisters' Night Out. Benedictines and Franciscans from the Diocese of Evansville showed up to take part in the festivities. While some sisters showed off their skills on the bowling lanes, others ate pizza and played Scrabble or cards.

"I enjoy seeing all the sisters together," Franciscan Sister Jane McConnell said. "This is the only time I see some sisters, and this is the one event where we get to have fun and catch up with each other."

The Sisters’ Night Out event was created when Marty Horning and her now deceased husband, Fritz, wanted to thank the sisters for everything they had done for the community. They were members of the Evansville Serra Club which provides food and drinks for the event.

"There were events for the clergy and the seminarians, but there was nothing for the sisters," Horning said. "We really wanted to host an event for them to show our appreciation for everything they do for the community."

“Each sister also receives two ‘thank you’ gifts,” she said. She asks community members for the donations which included a flat screen television and an e-reader along with different towel sets and slippers.

The sisters from Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand who can no longer attend were remembered with gift items, including towels, wash cloths, lotions and gift certificates to Dairy Queen in Ferdinand.

"It's great to see [the sisters] get excited about the drawing for gifts," Richard Clemens, president of the Evansville Serra Club said. "They usually look around the table to see what they need or want. A lot of times they use the items as gifts for other people, and it's a nice way to show our appreciation for all they do."

The owners of Willow, Pat and Mike Rayburn, recently announced their decision to close the bowling center by May 18.

"We're all sad to see Willow go after being in business for so many years," Clemens said. "We at the Serra Club and all the sisters are so appreciative to Pat and Mike for supporting this event for so many years."

Overall, Sisters' Night Out was a fun event where the sisters of the diocese enjoyed a night full of strikes, gutter balls, pizza, gifts and laughter.