S. Therese Theroux, SUSC            75 Years

Each day I hear God telling me, “Just follow me and I’ll show you the way.” And each day I say a prayer of thanks, “Thank you so much for showing me the way.”

S. Barbara Walsh, SUSC            75 Years

Living in a senior living facility offers me many opportunities for sharing our charism of Union with the residents. One of my neighbors is legally blind and can no longer read “America”, which is one of her favorite magazines, or any of Kerstin Hannah’s books, so I visit her apartment and read to her for about forty minutes and then we just enjoy a friendly visit. I also go to our memory loss unit, every Saturday and Sunday to do a Communion service and every Wednesday for a hootenanny. I play my guitar and the residents all join me in singing the Peter, Paul, and Mary songs plus lots of the good oldies for a wonderful hour of fun. I’m so grateful for all the opportunities that allow all three Holy Union Sisters who live here to share our gifts with so many people who have in turn enriched or lives.

S. Patricia Mulryan, SUSC            75 Years

I live in an independent and assisted living facility and have the companionship of ten Holy Union Sisters. Beyond this gift, I live with about 80 residents (many of whom do not speak English). However, I do have an opportunity to welcome new residents. If they do not speak English, a handshake and a smile will do. A smile can go a long way! .

S. Louise Gabrielle Bourget, SUSC            75 Years

Each day, say the following prayer, “Lord grant me the grace to see you in the eyes of everyone I meet today.”

S. Gretchen Marlatt, SUSC            70 Years

We Holy Union Sisters are called “to live in the heart of the world ” no matter where our mission takes us. I consider recognizing and accepting the “Present Moment” given to me by Yahweh to be the surest and yet the most difficult road. The moment is overflowing with God’s graces for changing the world. And so it is that I will continue to work at recognizing and accepting the call from God “to live in the heart of the world.”

S. Mary Lou Sullivan, SUSC            60 Years

Our charism is the spirit and energy that helps us to live in a way that witnesses to the upbuilding of that loving union for which God created us. For me, a few ways that this is nurtured are:
~by living with a “hospitality of heart” that is very much aware of another’s dignity which can be communicated by a welcoming smile, a caring question, followed by time to really listen and offer help when a situation warrants it.
~ by letting others know with whom I stand in conversation or by actions, because God’s love welcomes all.
~by fostering, through prayer a deeper appreciation of the gifts of creation which sustain us and are a source of God’s wisdom and healing for us. In response, choosing actions such as care for plants or animals, limiting the use of precious resources such as water, and protecting creation’s beauty and health through local clean-up efforts. Even small actions and encounters such as these ripple out to strengthen the web of life.

S. Nancy Stiles, SUSC            60 Years

One concrete action in my life is my involvement in my parish’s Nicholas Outreach Ministry. This ministry is made up of a dedicated group of volunteers who work together to provide meals for the homeless and those experiencing food insecurity in our area. We reach out to those in need in many other ways, such as providing hygiene bags, warm clothing during winter, and more. I believe that my presence with this group is a simple and visible witness of “uniting in service” (Art. 4) in my local area and of meeting the challenges today’s society presents.

S. Paula Coelho, SUSC            60 Years

Our Holy Union charism of UNION can be spread through gracious hospitality, a virtue integral to our Holy Union commitment today as well as honoring our tradition. Hospitality fosters oneness with all of creation and gives a true sense of belonging within our common home. We open our doors, our arms, our tables and our hearts in welcoming peoples of other cultures as well as those inside and outside our familiar circles of relationships. True hospitality is all inclusive. It embraces all within the heart of Holy Union.