Bernadette Macy shares thoughts from West Palm Beach
How did you get to know the SSNDs?
I met Sister Mary Oliver Hudon and Sister Carleen Cekal at St. Ann Church as they started a new ministry there.
As a teacher at a Catholic school, I also got to know Sister Corinne Gmuer and felt that I belonged with the SSND community.
The charism of Mother Theresa - “transformation through education,” grounded in the Eucharist with Our Holy Blessed Mother Mary - resonated in my heart and impelled me to become an Associate.
How has your life as an SSND Associate helped you help others?
My Catholic faith and yearning to help those in need has unquestionably been deepened by being an Associate. The Sisters have helped me in many ways, through their teaching, outreach, educational centers to help women, and even stories about their social justice work. I found it all to be helpful in creating lesson plans when I taught seventh grade religion.
After many years of teaching at the Catholic School, I went to Catholic Charities. I worked with the homeless and with mothers and families fleeing domestic violence. I helped secure a mobile medical unit to provide free physical exams for children wanting to enroll in school.
Sister Mary Rose Crowley, SSND, was director of Elder Affairs there. I helped obtain needed supplies for the elderly and their caregivers, and started a respite program.
What's a favorite story from your experience as an Associate of SSND?
My favorite experience was when the SSNDs and Associates would get together every month for prayer, share a meal and conversation. One month, we all decided to take the train to Miami to see Sister Marie Angela and experience her generous hospitality. She taught me how to make Mojitos!
This helped change my image of Sisters as superhuman saints to real people. Experiencing their friendship, humanity, and welcome helped me feel that I belonged as part of this very special family of God.
What wisdom can you share from your experience as an Associate?
I am grateful and lucky to share Mother Theresa’s wisdom. “Let us live together in peace and love as the Holy family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph did, so that each of our houses will become like the holy house of Nazareth.”
