By Sister Justine Nutz, SSND
All my years, I have considered SSND to be the greatest grace of my life. Now, after watching our Provincial Assembly, I am even more grateful and more hopeful.
The sincerity and hard work of the Assembly Sisters and all who made it possible was so evident, especially as they grappled with our responses to The Call and Acts of the 25th General Chapter, and the 5 Focus Area Commitments.
Set in the context of prayer, the Assembly agenda moved along in a good balance between Province needs and world needs.
Much of the news since January 20 makes me ask, "Where is Hope?"
Of course, in God. But also in our Sisters, Associates, colleagues, partners in mission ~ the whole Congregation. Together, we continue to uncover ways to enflesh The Call and Acts.
For this winter "HOPE" board at The Watermark, I used both old and new pieces.
Reflecting on its 3 woodcuts (from an unsigned bookmark I've had for 30 years), along with the words of a strong Nebraska pioneer woman, Willa Cather, I see HOPE kept warm and alive by fidelity to our charism and Theresa’s spirit.
In the last woodcut, I see the lily emerging as Resurrection/New Life, the tulip as Beauty in All Colors, and the wheat as Daily Bread for the World.
This winter may last a long time, but not forever.
In Willa’s pioneer spirit, we can trust that "the spring will come again. Oh! It will come again!"
