August 2008
August 23, 2008
A World We May Never See
Yesterday I sat with four people who truly want to understand who the Sisters of St. Joseph are. Present as well was one other person who “gets it” about the CSJs; both of us knew that “getting it” takes a lot more thought and understanding than one would expect. Like a crystal carefully honed to catch light in many different ways, CSJs can be known from many different angles as well.
I just finished reading an article in Together, our internal newsletter, by one of our Leadership Team members who does a nice job of taking one angle that reflects the CSJ light.
“Marjorie Tuite, an activist religious sister of the 1970s and 80s, was quoted as saying, “I am working for a world I will never see. But it is a privilege to be a part of the struggle.”
In a recent publication, one of our Province Leadership Team members, Virginia Webb, says that “this is what we are about today, the creation of a new world we may never see. It is easy to recognize serious social and environmental troubles on a global and local level. Actions against life, human rights, abandoned children, war genocide, trafficking of women, men and children, drugs, abortion, and pollution are only the first that come to mind. These are serious and prevailing problems. Too many of these abuses will continue into the next millennium”
Virginia continues on to explain many of the specific ways that CSJs are responding to these needs, and ends with: “With all people of goodwill we share an important obligation and challenge to respond to the devastation of our planet and the plight of so many persons who lack health care, food, and adequate housing. Given our tradition, our number, our education, and our moral influence, within a variety of societies, we have considerable impact on the world’s problems. Let us not falter.”
To that I add, Possumus!
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August 11, 2008
We All Have Value
From all I’ve seen of the Olympics this year in Bejing, the most stunning was the opening ceremony when children from each of the Chinese Provinces walked in together each wearing their own native costume.
In that moment as the nearly 100 children walked across the enormous stadium, the world saw that the diversity in China is great and equal. The children carrying in the flag shall not learn a different message about themselves unless it’s taught to them.
Everyday our Sisters serve people who were taught that they have no value. Any day at any one of the program sites whether it be a clinic, school, child care center, volunteer program, you will witness lessons of personal value and equality being taught. You will also see that it is far easier to feed, clothe and shelter someone than to teach them that they are loveable and valued.
Let’s simply keep children knowing that they are valuable and equal. Only then will we return to the simpler problems of providing food, clothing and shelter.
Possumus
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August 7, 2008
Silence is a Friend
I know a silence that is so deep it’s palpable. Its elusive, shy presence is hard to find on the normal path of life. Even in my inescapably extroverted self, I seek its company every day. When silence and I are together, I steer away from all the “whats” in the road and instead am able to contemplate “how and why.” Its friendship is a secret ingredient in every success.
Possumus
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