"I am richer being able to be with them and serve them."

© Imelda Maurer, cdp July 15, 2009
ilmcdp@yahoo.com

Yesterday I wrote to Sister Mary Lou Mitchell, President of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Rochester, NY regarding the July 9th article in The New York Times featuring their Sisters living in their retirement setting. Below is the response I received from Sister Mary Lou, printed here with her permission.

Dear Sr. Imelda,

Thanks for your note and the wonderful piece you did on your blog. This has truly been a humbling experience for me and for the Congregation. Health promotion across the life span and gerontology has been a passion of mine for many years and I am grateful that the community has allowed me to work on improving the quality of care for our elders. They are such wonderful beautiful women and I am richer being able to be with them and serve them in this fashion.

Let us pray that together we can continue to help our culture know that our elderly are a gift to us and not a burden.

In peace,
Mary Lou

Indeed, we are all and always gift to one another. That reality does not become invalid because of chronological age and/or frailty. All of us who are care-ers for others, through a formal workplace position or from the relationship of sisterhood or friendship can validate Sister Mary Lou’s experience of being “richer” because we are “able to be with them and serve them.”

To all those who, by your conscious and intentional actions, honor our aging members by your care and service – blessings to you. You are the joyfully visible sign of God’s Providential love for all of creation.