Our most senior Sisters are amazing! Last week, as I was walking down our care centre hallway, I met Sr. Mary Eunice, 94, pushing her rollator toward me at full speed. She slowed down enough to inform me that Prime Minister Trudeau would be giving a speech in a few minutes and she didn’t want to miss a word of it. I knew that she would listen to his address and decide whether he should be admonished, advised or just in need of prayers.
Sisters Eileen & Michaela
A few days earlier, I was taking a copy of America Magazine to the Sisters’ rooms to see if they wanted to continue to be on the list for reading it. I went to Sr. Theresa Marie’s room where I found this soon-to-be 90-year-old busy on Facetime. She indicated that of course, she would like to receive America as it’s a publication where one can find the most recent updates and current events analysis from a scholarly Jesuit perspective. Next, I spied Sr. Eileen, 95, a blogger on our website and companion Sr. Michaela who is healing gracefully from hip replacement surgery. They were enjoying dinner in the little country kitchen. Yes, they agreed that America was a most worthwhile magazine to continue receiving and by the way, did I know where the September issue of MacLean’s was. “Yes, Sisters, coming right up”, I replied.
Sisters Theresa Marie, Mary Eunice and Veronica in the Chapel
Sr. Veronica is 94 and now deprived of eyesight. She enjoys when I visit and read to her from the latest edition of the Catholic Register. Our reading time is interspersed with our own editorial comments, smart remarks and even chuckles as we add our views and recommendations on the various articles.
Sr. St. Bride, now 95, arrived from Edmonton several years ago suffering, as she put it, “from too many birthdays”. She has little sight but is not one to miss the games of her cherished Edmonton Oilers or Eskimos (soon to receive a new name). They are no doubt included in her prayers along with many others. In fact, Sister has a telephone ministry that reaches all the way to the West.
Sister Paulette celebrates her 90th!
Sr. Paulette, our latest 90-year-old, was a Windsor school principal and later child and family counsellor for fifty years. Coming to London meant a switch from her 250ccs motorcycle to larger wheels for transportation. Now she enjoys busy days serving as receptionist relief at our residence entrance. Being a Windsorite, she follows everything American from current events to sports and politics.
Sister Marie Celine preparing sandwiches for the Hospitality Centre in London
Sr. Marie Celine, 91, a talented artist who spent over a decade in Peru, recently moved to the care centre. She helps to make sandwiches for the hungry who visit our downtown hospitality centre during these troubled times.
Our beloved senior Sisters live deep spiritual lives, filled with serenity, even in suffering.
Theirs is work well done in the Creator’s vineyard. They hold the wisdom of the years with gentleness, peace and joy.
-Sister Jean Moylan, csj