Conversations About Service, Prayer and Community

Sister Suzanne

I go to Broadway Christian Parish, which is a Methodist parish on the southeast side of South Bend, Indiana, where we serve people who are homeless and nearly homeless. ... I just try to do my best to walk with people, and they do their best to respond and walk with me. … In the afternoons, I spend my time in the Saint Mary’s Convent Library. Reading is very important to me, so I like helping the staff and sisters find things that are useful and enjoyable for them. I also have, for years, visited and spent time with our sisters in the convents.

Sister Edith

I’m in formation ministry. I serve full-time as the postulant director for Uganda. In Jinja, I accompany the postulants [women investigating religious life] for a period between six months and two years. We have different classes where we talk to them about the religious life, the Catholic Church, the sacraments and the history of the Congregation.

Sister Nieves

One of my ministries is at a migrant house called Casanicolás. Once a week I go there and reflect on the Gospel of the day. And I’m in charge of setting the activities. … I also provide thanatological [grief and loss] support to families and children with cancer at a hospital in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. I go on Wednesday mornings, and one of the things I do is talk to the parents and children to help them channel their emotions. I listen to them and see how we can support them since there are many families that don’t have the resources. We also try to encourage the children by giving them some toys that we manage to collect through donations. 

“I just try to do my best to walk with people, and they do their best to respond and walk with me.”

How do you prepare spiritually for the day ahead?  What are some daily spiritual practices you follow?

Sister Suzanne

Each day, the first thing I do is invite my guardian angel to be with me for the day and to guide me in all the areas and ways of my life that I need, especially with others. Then, I have a composition book, and I write three pages. I’ve been very influenced by the book The Artist’s Way, [which suggests] immediate writing. So before you start your day, you see what comes to the fore. … It kind of clears your mind, a bit of a decluttering from what might distract you from your day.

In the evening, I also read reflectively two books. One is Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet, which goes along with all of the efforts that the Pope has called us to for the last several years. But it also gave me a sense of how important centering and being present to the moment is. To be focused in a way so that I respond to each thing as it comes. So, if you’re washing the dishes, just wash the dishes. Don’t be thinking about the next thing you have to do or want to do. If you’re eating an orange, enjoy it. If you’re looking at nature, just have the moment. And that sounds really wonderful and beautiful, but it’s not so easy.

Sister Edith

I read Scripture in the morning when I wake up.  I also practice personal prayer and meditation between 15 and 20 minutes, and mostly I use the Scriptures. I use the Gospel reading of the day, or sometimes I just open my Bible, and whatever I fall on I read. And then, when I meditate on it, I ask the Lord, “What are you really calling me today to do? How am I going to live this day for you?” During the day, I have also a moment of silence in our own chapel before the Blessed Sacrament. So my goal is each day [to] spend an hour. It is like part of me now.

Sister Nieves

I prepare myself through personal prayer and meditation. And I like to read books on spirituality by Enrique Ponce de León, SJ, and Emmanuel Godo. As well, I like to listen to the Gospel, the reflection. And I like especially the daily prayer app Rezandovoy. I also enjoy taking time just in silence and trying to listen to what God is trying to say to me. Also, when I’m preparing the materials for my ministries it is like a kind of prayer for me because I’m very focused and enjoy that moment.

“...my understanding of God now is very different...”

Sister Suzanne

I entered the Sisters of the Holy Cross at the age of 17, so my view of life and my experiences have certainly enlarged and, hopefully, deepened. … One of my most profound opportunities was when I was missioned to Peru. I really got the beginnings of a good understanding of accompaniment. Not to decide for people, not to overly help them. But to be there for them without taking over. This is a hard transition. 

Sister Edith

My life has drastically changed since I embraced my religious vocation. For instance, my prayer life has grown, my understanding of God now is very different from what it was before. Intercultural living also has changed my life. In our communities, we come from different nations or tribes with our different cultural ways—of cooking, different dances, stories, beliefs. It is really enriching. 

“One of the best ways to support each other is just to be there.”

How do you and the other sisters support each other throughout the day?

Sister Edith

As we stay together, we eat together, we relate to each other at meals, we work, we do things together. People are there to listen to you, to contribute to your life. And, of course, in the center, in the midst of our community life is Christ, who brings us together.

I used to teach in a government school, and in one class I had 80 children in one room. So it was really hectic. And sometimes, when we were doing exams, I would have a heap of papers that I took home. But the community was helpful. I would be at the table correcting and socializing, and then each of them would take a paper and start reading and marking at the same time. So it becomes helpful. … And we pray together, and we pray for one another.

Sister Nieves

One of the best ways to support each other is just to be there. Many times we don’t need to say anything. But just to be aware of the needs of the community and try to do things that sometimes others cannot do. Just like cooking, or cleaning, or simple things that many times make the difference when one is tired. So just to know that other sister is there is a great support. And as well, through prayer we support each other, and listening. … I also connect with other sisters around the globe through WhatsApp, Facebook or Instagram, and we try to speak once a week or with others once a month. We always try to be connected and share how we are doing and how we are living our vocation, and support each other. We are blessed to have that opportunity to connect. 

Sister Suzanne

First, find a posture of openness and receptivity to the grace of God in moments of quiet or reflection. And then find communities, persons, experiences that bring us together, because all of life is interrelated and we’re all in need of support. …Also, look outside of your own circle and find those people who are doing. You want to be connected with people because you can lose strength if you try to do things on your own or just in your head.

Sister Edith

Community can help us to cultivate, to grow in our prayer life. And God calls us here to be one. We can build community through sharing our stories of our journey, of our faith, by reading and reflecting on the Word of God together. …And prayer is like gas for a car. When the gas goes low, you go to the station to refill it. So it is the same as prayer… just to sit and be with Christ, and say, “Thank you, God, for this day. Thank you, God, for the many things I have been able to achieve.” You recall all that has been happening, good and bad. And so it is like you are refilling the gas in the car to continue driving it tomorrow. Prayer is fulfilling like that.

Sister Nieves

I think one piece of advice I can give is to make your life a prayer. And wherever you go, treat others with dignity and respect. Also, do what makes you happy and do it because you want to do it, and not because others expect it of you. Because when we feel what we love, we are happy. And without realizing it, we create community and prayer because our actions are directed toward good.