Thinking of the Sisters

Rich Lessard*, Albany Affiliate Chapter and former Board Chair, often said how inspired he was by the Maryknoll Sisters – all Maryknollers, but most especially the Sisters. Just sitting in the their cafeteria and seeing the Sisters quietly eating or talking with each other at the tables, Rich said that he’d inevitably have flashes of the thousands of collective years of compassionate, unpretentious global service as he panned the room. All this inspired him to join the Affiliates.

Over last month or so, five Sisters have died. In recent years, so many more. The notification with each passing begins: “Our dear Sister [name], M. M. passed into new life on…” A few days later a letter of appreciation of the Sister is written by a Sister in the community. There is something very beautiful and consoling about this.
 
In addition to so many years of missionary service, the Sisters present and expansive and prophetic vision. The first paragraph of their mission statement – Making God’s Love Visible – follows.
 
The Maryknoll Sisters believe that we are all part of “One Earth Community”… that all of us—regardless of race, nationality, gender, background or personal identity—are all connected as a human family, with each other and with all creation. As Pope Francis has said, “God created the world and entrusted it to us as a gift. Now we have the responsibility to care for and protect it and all people, who are part of creation. Protecting human dignity is strongly linked to care for creation.”
 
* I did not beforehand ask Rich for permission to quote him. My assumption was that Rich is an understanding and forgiving guy. If that didn’t prove the case, he is a four hour drive away and hopefully wouldn’t have the energy to make the trip.