Thank You, Sister.

Courtney McGrath

Having never taken the time to contemplate the impact sisters and religious orders have had on my life, this is the opportune time to reflect on these aspects and to say thank you for all you have done in your special and simple ways.  I am disheartened and shaken by the secret investigations into the United States Religious Orders.  These investigations are not measuring the true impact these women have by truly following living and following Jesus.  They are the light in this world in their simple actions and deeds. It is St. Theresa of Liseux whose short life taught that it is the little ways to holiness that provide spiritual sanctity.  The sisters that have touched my life follow this everyday.

I grew up with three sisters in my life who are my mother’s first cousins and to whom I refer to as my aunts, a special honor and place.  They are spiritual and gifted teachers who make a difference everyday in the lives of many.  They are Sisters of St. Joseph.

These three women have worked with (and this is not the end of the list) – the poor, homeless, imprisoned, children, recovering addicts – all in the spirit of Jesus.  They truly walk in his path. During the time of my aunt’s dying, my aunt was a great source of faith and simple messages that provided comfort to me.  She did not do this knowingly or do it for her comfort but because she embodies Christ in her words and actions, I found peace in her discussions.

In Luke 10:25-28, a lawyer questions Jesus about how to “..inherit eternal life?”  Jesus asks him to interpret the law and lawyer replies “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself”.  Jesus replies that the man’s interpretation is right and to do this with his life.

Not only my aunts, but the women who taught me and teach my children everyday live their lives this way – loving their neighbor and God with their whole hearts, souls, strengths, and mind.  My children pray the rosary in school, they attend mass during the school day, they perform charitable works for others outside the school because these women encourage loving one’s neighbor.  My children have a deep faith that is strengthened everyday by these women.  In a time when the world is hurting and searching for peace and comfort, these sisters have provided the shelter and rock that my children need as a foundation for their faith.  In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said “Let these little children along, and do not stop them from coming to me; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of Heaven belongs.”  These women bring my children to the feet of Jesus everyday in their teachings and practices.

Two days ago I watched over 150 Thanksgiving baskets of food collected and blessed for the poor in our area.  The Sister of the Holy Cross, who organized this collection in the past, passed away this spring.  Her spirit and heart were in these baskets.  The simple act of collecting food and giving to the poor at a time of need is a true testament to loving one’s neighbor as yourself.  To get a college community to do this, is an amazing feat.  This is a true legacy of a blessed woman and sister walking in the path of Jesus and providing to the less fortunate.

Please consider the message and impact these secret investigations have on the core faith of these special women and those who are touched by their work everyday.  The missions of these women are truly following the path of Jesus and his teachings.

I pray that those performing these investigations understand how hardworking and faithful these women are.  I pray that those performing these investigations ask themselves if they are working towards the path that Jesus wanted us to follow. I pray that those performing these investigations truly understand and are guided by the words that Jesus gave us.

I pray for the hearts and souls of the women investigated that they do not lose faith and hope in their missions because without them we are lost souls in the darkness of this world.

Thank you sisters for walking with Jesus and helping to guide us on the way to inherit eternal life.