Metanoia et Missa, a household known for its focus on authentic friendship and giving of self, hosted an embroidery night where men and women came together to craft, eat snacks and chat.

Metanoia et Missa’s household was founded because these women saw a need for a women’s missionary household. “The pillars are authentic witness, counter-cultural intentionality, and servant leadership,” says intent Ruth Schaefer. 

They decided to host an embroidery night “to spread awareness about our household on campus and we all love embroidery,” Ruth furthers. “A few of the intents were thinking about intenting, and they found out our fundraiser was embroidery, and they decided they had to do it.”

The event was sponsored by the student government, which allowed the household to provide supplies for embroidering. When students arrived, they chose a hoop, thread, and a pattern. Once they sketched their pattern onto the hoop, a sister taught them how to embroider. Abby Fitzner, another Metanoia et Missa intent, gave a chain stitch demonstration. 

They played music, had snacks and students gathered on couches. Students debated movies as they embroidered. They came because they loved crafting, were part of or knew of Metanoia et Missa or because they wanted to learn how to embroider. One student expressed that embroidery was very therapeutic, and another said it was a good thing to do while watching tv. 

Overall, “I thought it was fun to learn basic embroidery skills and to go to an event that brought together the Marian community,” says student Lucia DeBacker.