Running for Charity- The Nun Run (literally!)

As I’ve written before, I’ve run the 2010 Chicago Marathon for Charity (The Steps Foundation) and am currently training for the NYC Marathon for which I’m running for Jack’s Fund.  Currently, I have $750 in online donations with another $386 in the bank collecting interest (I’ve donated some of my saved money since I last posted about Jack’s Fund!).  To this, I have to say THANK YOU and ask that you keep me in your prayers and pass along my story of running for melanoma research and education to your friends.  If you haven’t donated yet, that’s OK! You still have time and if you donate, you get and hand written thank you note AND you don’t have to get me a birthday present!!!  I also figured I would write of a friend of mine.

Sr Alicia Torres

During my time at Loyola University Chicago, I became friends with Alicia Torres, LUC Class of 2007.  My freshman year, she lived on my floor in Simpson Hall as an over night host for prospective students.  On occasion, when we both had students staying with us and would do things as a group.  We stayed in contact through out undergrad and after she graduate, she went on to work in the Diocese of Chicago.  Over the course of a good 1 yr plus, she ran the Chicago Marathon in order to help pay off her student loans so she could enter the convent.  Last year, she ran Chicago on 10/10/10, shortly before which she had completely paid off student loans and entered the convent at Our Mission of Angels of Chicago (which is a Franciscan community).  She blogged about her experience and titled it The Nun Run.  This year, Alicia is again running the Chicago Marathon, while wearing her habit mind you, in order to raise money to rebuild her church, Our Lady of Angels.  Since she is allowed only limited communication (as are most who are undergoing studies to be a religious sister), communication is few and far between.  As of late July, the Church was $50,000 away from being able to complete Phase 1 of their remodel and $120,000 total from being able to complete their entire project.  Their goal is to be able to have full services by December.

I had the chance to stay at the Mission last August when I ran the Chicago Half Marathon in preparation for the Chicago Marathon and know that Father Bob (their priest) as well as the postulant and those in training for the religious life at Our Lady of Angels could use a hand with their project.  Their Charity team will take on Chicago on October 9,2011 and they have some fundraising events set up for the upcoming months.  For information on how to donate, head over here (The Nun Run site) and take a look at Our Lady of Angels to learn about their mission and projects.

On behalf of me (running for Jack’s Fund) and Alicia/ Our Lady of Angels, we appreciate any support you can give us, no matter how big or small!