Seasoning
by Joellen McCarthy, BVM; Peggy Nolan, BVM and Mary Ann Zollmann, BVM

Dear SALT Readers,

On November 1, 1833 in St. Joseph 's Church in Philadelphia, Mary Frances Clarke and her four friends proclaimed their vows, promising to be faithful to God and to one another.

On November 1, 2007 we, their followers, proclaim a year of Jubilee to celebrate their action and the rich history to which it gave birth. With joy and gratitude we invite you—our benefactors, alums, friends, family members, colleagues and business associates—to join us in celebrating 175 years of presence and partnership.

During this Jubilee year November 1, 2007—November 1, 2008 Salt magazine will join in the festivities by devoting the next five issues to Remembering, Relating, Choosing, Participating and Imagining—energies that express the spirit of our founding members as lived today by us, 21st century BVMs, and by you who partner with us. Over the years we have experienced God's steadfast love through you. Your presence has called forth the best in us and has consistently moved us to new and often unexpected places. We are grateful.

This issue of Salt, with its focus on remembering, invites us to look at our shared past. With 175 years to honor, what and how we remember challenges us. How do any of us adequately remember any anniversary whether 40 years of marriage, 15 years of sobriety, 20 years of professional service, or 175 years of existence?

In the beginning of her poem, “The Gathering of the Clan” Jane McDonnell, BVM writes,

The clan sits at the table of memories
to pass their tales like bread from mouth
to mouth, from heart to heart. The sounds
chime sad, chime happy, light the room
against the fears that lurk for times
beyond the gift of warmth and speech.

For Jane, as for many of us, telling the stories that accompany the years is crucial to remembering. Whether the tale be sad or happy, strength comes in the telling and nourishes our hearts. The poem goes on to say that in telling the tale the years slip away and another time emerges bringing to life

new and dangerous journeys, the mystery
of sudden friendships, of old bitterness
softened, the seizing of the single breath
dividing life from death.

By telling the tale both speakers and listeners come face to face with the events that have shaped them and those they love. In so doing they are strengthened for the future. In Jane's words they find

the sweet taste that waits even
in the hard crust of future tense.

“The Gathering of the Clan” sums up the essence of remembering: telling the story. In this issue of Salt some members of our clan have gathered to tell their stories. Some tell of the present, some of the past; some share their musings on memory, history or jubilee. We hope these tales will serve as bread to nourish your heart, light to brighten your inner room and seasoning to flavor your future.

May this Jubilee year provide many opportunities for remembering the time honored, life giving connections among us. Throughout the year BVMs and Associates will be gathering at numerous local Jubilee celebrations. The table of memories is at hand. We look forward to your presence, to all the tales that will be told and to the renewed life that the powerful energy of remembering will release among us.

Return to Table of Contents.
©2007 Sisters of Charity, BVM