sisters

This is Us

“This is Us” is currently a popular TV series. It is also a popular LIFE series at our residence in London, Ontario, Canada where approximately 80 women - Sisters of St. Joseph, share life.

Recently, an invitation was given to anyone to be part of putting together a beautiful puzzle of a male and female cardinal.  There they were, all 500 pieces, with uniquely odd-shaped pieces waiting to be crafted into a beautiful picture as seen here.

puzzle cardinals.jpg

Beside the pieces, was the following invitation:

“When a red cardinal appears, the spiritual meaning is that it is a symbol of hope in God, especially in times of stress and despair, to encourage hope and persistence.

This puzzle, in the process of completing it, is meant to be a reminder of the importance of us living together, helping each other to put together, the pieces of our lives, as we journey through this pandemic. Some pieces will fit, some will not, but will be used when others fit into the picture.

WELCOME TO BEING A CO-CREATOR OF THE FINISHED PRODUCT!! 😊”

After about three weeks, the beautiful symbol was realized and the co-creators were asked to describe their experience of being in this very simple process and how it was similar to living in community.

These were the various responses:

-we are all interested in the same thing

-you learn about the other persons who help to put it together

- it is a small welcome recess in the day

-we support each other in various ways, as we do in community

-in working together, we experience being with somebody

-I am happy to find pieces that fit

-it is heartening to see together, the end product coming to completion

-like the odd-shaped puzzle pieces, so are we, as the diverse pieces of our life come together

-various personalities come together and we appreciate the gift of accommodating at times and leading at other times.”

-we are creating something new and enjoying doing it

-we are making connections on many levels

-it captivates one’s ability to attentively see the unfolding of something beautiful

-look at a piece, then look at the WHOLE to see where it fits

Through the lens of “puzzle-making”, we can look at this world in the political upheaval in the U.S. especially and hope that better hearts will prevail to bring about a picture of harmony and collaboration.

Looking through this same lens, we can hope that in our lives together, we can create a microcosm of a loving and compassionate entity that will spill out into a world so desperately in need of compassionate love.

Amanda Gordon, the poet laureate of the U.S. presidential Inauguration reminds us:

“For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it.

If only we’re brave enough to be it.

If we are brave enough to put the pieces of the puzzle together, we CAN collaboratively co-create a beautiful world.  WE CAN BE THE LIGHT.

-Sister Kathleen Lichti (and several other “puzzle solvers”)

Amanda Gorman poem qupte.jpg

Wisdom, Age and Grace

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

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

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!

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

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