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For Associates, It's Coming Home - Twice |
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“Can a person be baptized twice?” writes former BVM and associate Joan Mirabel about her decision to formally recommit to the congregation — this time as an associate. Like others who, for various reasons, left the community years ago, Joan makes it clear that part of her had always remained and that, consequently, joining the associates was almost redundant. Approximately 25% of the 161 BVM Associates are former members. The BVM tradition of excellence in education as well as the spirituality of the community were what initially attracted many of these women. Joann Crowley Beers tells how she admired the achievements she witnessed at Mundelein College in addition to “BVMs whose spirit of prayer inspired me.” Mary Therese Casey writes, “I was attracted to the idea of being holy, being close to God. I also loved the idea of teaching. I say I loved both of these ‘ideas' because, or course, I had no idea what the reality of either one was at the time.” Arline Elliott credits SM Therese Avila for her decision to become a sister: “She opened my mind to a world beyond Phoenix, family, and horses.” Mary Miller was attracted to by the sisters' kindness and their recognition of abilities she didn't know she possessed. Reconnecting Why renew association? Like Joan, most of these women make it clear that their friendship with the sisters had always continued. “Although I left religious life, religious life never left me,” explains Anne Marie Long who compares becoming an associate to “going home.” Marilyn Wasmundt credits BVM Dot Feehan (Agnes Cecile) with helping her realize that the time was right to become an associate after her family was grown. Oweene Stone explains she decided to become an associate “…to renew my association with the BVM community because I dearly love the BVM Sisters. I believe in their core values and mission… I want to be part of that great group of women and I want to serve God along side of them.” Returning for her set's 25th jubilee inspired Mary Miller to become an associate; Mary Therese made that decision after the 50th jubilee of her set. “I was so impressed with the beautiful women we'd become. Two of the sisters at the Motherhouse said, ‘Why don't you become an associate?' Two months later I met with Mary Jean Ferry (St. Christopher) and started the process… I felt I had a lot to learn from her and other BVMs.” These former sisters identify the congregation's strengths with words such as strong, independent, spiritual and caring. During the years Anne Marie was a sister, the community was beginning to focus on social justice with the sisters' involvement in civil rights marches and their establishment of missions in South America. Joann describes congregation strength in terms of abilities: “the ability to be relevant to the world they live in while maintaining a place for God at the center of their lives, the ability to reach out in particular situations to those in most need of the gifts they have to offer, and the ability to encourage creativity and diversity.” “Unbounded love” and “acceptance of others with whom they come in contact” are ways Oweene describes the BVMs. Marilyn admires the sisters as “strong, caring, outgoing women with convictions.” Mary Miller considers them women who live the charism of the community in whatever they do. Memories Despite the diverse directions the lives of these former sisters have taken, memories (both humorous and serious) abound: Joan relates how she managed to get a finger caught in a cruet during a solemn service. Marilyn writes about S. Maxine McCabe's laughter when teaching her how to drive. Oweene, one of the many who began teaching without a degree, writes about meeting SM Dominic Dugan (now Eileen) during her first day of teaching. When Sister asked how she was doing, Oweene replied, “Fine - except that I finished all of my lesson plans.” And it was only ten AM! Mary Miller recalls the friendships, bonding, and leadership opportunities that prepared her for the rest of her life. Anne Marie relishes memories of life on the missions and of former students and of their families but adds, “Living in community and sharing with the sisters is the memory I cherish most.” For Arline, special memories center around the novitiate, “…the eight day retreats, the smell of apples cooking, the ginkgo shedding its leaves, silence.” Joann sums it up. “Especially fond memories of my time as a BVM? That question would require an encyclopedic answer. I have thousands of them!” About the author: Associate Jeanne Harrington, Dubuque, is a mother, grandmother, retired teacher and Americorps volunteer. She is also a member of the Communications Advisory Committee. Return to Table of Contents. |
