- May 15, 2020
Take care of yourselves for a future that will surely come.
This is a moment to see…
—Pope Francis
Well, here we all are homebound with others—or alone—depending on your situation. We write this now to give you an update of how we Sisters of St. Joseph are and to thank you for your prayers and the messages you’ve sent during this time. We have all (you and we) been through a great deal. We have to say it has not been all bad. It has given us time to pray for you and to count our many, many blessings.
We sisters are obeying the guidelines asked of us. We don’t do this solely for ourselves, but we embrace the greater purpose of contributing to the health of one another. It is a chance to stand in solidarity with our “Dear Neighbors” in ways most of us have never experienced. In this process, we are even more grateful for the leadership of those who have made the hard decisions. We are safe. We are cared for. We are loved. What more could we ask?
We realize being able to spend this time alone has been somewhat a luxury. Many of you have not had that privilege. You are the Samaritans needing to go out into the fray, to suit up, to mask up—always worried about what you might carry home to those you love. Others of you have been surrounded 24/7 by energetic children, spouses or parents who need your constant care and attention. You are the real heroes and heroines of these times. We are aware that in the midst of your frenzy and worry, you may feel more alone than we do. Please know you are not alone. We support you with our prayers.
On the Nazareth campus, we have been privileged to watch families come to McGovern Commons (the skilled facility), pull up chairs facing the windows to visit with loved ones on the inside. Often there are children with signs, “We love you, Grandma” or “Hang in there, Daddy”. Relationships we may have taken for granted now seem more precious. Pope Francis reminds us this is the time to “take seriously the things that are important”; to rediscover that life is of no use unless seen in the context of others. “Our lives are measured by love”.
We want to tell you how grateful we are for you. We’ve always appreciated your generosity, but as we sit in our rooms and take you to prayer, we are aware it’s not your financial largess we are most grateful for. We are grateful for YOU—your goodness, your perseverance, your willingness to accept the crosses in your life with strength and courage, your example of how to be a good and decent human being. You inspire us. It is not your money that enriches us; it is your presence, your very being.
Therefore, this letter comes with no “ask.” We simply want to give back to you the love, fidelity, kindness and respect, you have shown us. Thank you. We ask God to bless you and all those you love. Be safe and know how very much you are loved by God and appreciated by the Sisters of St. Joseph.