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September 19, 2023Growing up with six siblings in Inwood, New York City apartment on Nagle Avenue was my foundational preparation for community life. During these years, I learned to get along with others, share limited space, celebrate the success of others and support others when needed. I also developed the skills to voice ideas and values without damaging relationships or losing my identity and ways to communicate my thoughts and needs so they are heard clearly.
I often visited the local library. On one of these visits, I discovered a book, “Bernie Becomes a Nun.” Intrigued by this story, I eagerly told my third-grade religion teacher I was interested in becoming a nun. At the next class, she gave me Maryknoll magazines through which I imagined myself learning other languages and traveling to other countries so I could bring God’s love to others. My early introduction to the Presentation Sisters extended from the religion class to working with them at our parish summer camp. In both instances I was impressed with their joy, their care for each other and their care for the children in their care.
Entering on August 26,1973, I began learning a detailed history of the community, including why we live the way we do (charism) and the reasons we do what we do (mission). I was delighted to see human dignity was a core value of the Presentation community!
I had been substantially formed by the struggle for peace and justice emerging from our activity in Vietnam and the Civil Rights movement, meeting strong, compassionate people of all ages and backgrounds at the many rallies and protests I participated in. At that time, I did not see or hear a strong involvement by the Catholic Church, causing me to consider moving away from the Catholic Church. Fearing that my faith was waning, my sister made arrangements for me to participate in a four-day retreat, where I picked up a movement in my spirit that things don’t change unless I do my part to make change happen. I explored that movement by turning to the Presentation Sisters.
After several years as an elementary school teacher with a focus on religion, science and reading, I took an out-of-my-comfort-zone mission to the Middle East, where I helped others learn English as a second language and be comfortable in a new environment. Politics and living situations between the Israelis and Palestinians were devastating at the time. This was known as the Intafada: there was intense and violent distrust, fear and hatred between these peoples. Living and working with the Palestinians, I was under suspicion by the Israelis and, being an American, I lived with the possibility of being kidnapped for leverage by some Palestinian groups. I never lived in such fear and violence. My determination to support people struggling so courageously for freedom and a decent life compelled me to stay until I was called home because of the beginning of the Gulf War.
My favorite ministry was being a director of religious education, helping people of all ages come in stronger contact with God who loves and delights in them, empowering them to bring God’s love and peace to all aspects of their lives and to all people in their lives.
I find meetings, yes, I said meetings are my favorite part of community life because everyone is involved in prayer and conversations leading us to evaluate who we are and giving time and space for thoughts, values, ideas and hopes to emerge into a future full of hope based on deep trust and faith in God-with-us.
Being in nature, swimming, singing, spending time with family and friends are my top take-a-break joys.
My most challenging mission is going on right now. Living through a very difficult bout with COVID-19 with pneumonia, I was so weak I needed the care and safety I would find here at Cabrini Nursing Home. After three years, I’m now able to take care of myself and to walk again. Besides extensive physical challenges, I experienced incredible loneliness because of strict COVID-19 regulations in the early pandemic years, as well as periodic anxiety over who am I now and what I am to do.
As good relationships form and a growing trust and faith in God who bought me here, I am happily keeping involved with welcoming new residents, participating in our Cabrini mission and tutoring immigrants seeking asylum at an area Immigration center. I honestly never dreamed of living in a nursing home or even finding new aspects of myself in this experience. I believe God continues to be with me: enabling me, calling me and preparing me to be who he needs me to be wherever I find myself.
I encourage new members to do what they can to form a strong connection with God, develop a network of people and places that support you, giving you space and time to flourish, enjoy the people you are with and know you are never alone.
