Changed Forever: Remembering the Martyrs of El Salvador

Thirty years ago, a terrible tragedy took place in El Salvador. When four church women were brutally assassinated, it touched our lives in unforgettable ways.

The missioners were killed in December 1980. I became a Maryknoll Lay Missioner in September 1981 (and later a Maryknoll Sister in 1986). Joining Maryknoll at that time was deeply linked with the events in El Salvador that had taken place the year before: the murder of Archbishop Romero, the tragic death in a flashflood of Sister Carla Piette, the abduction, violation and killing of Cleveland Lay Missioner Jean Donovan, Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel, and Maryknollers Maura Clarke and Ita Ford.

Danger and violence in Central America were the symbols of risk in commitment for younger generations of missioners, much the same way that suffering in China symbolized the call to mission for earlier Christians.

I invite you to join with us in remembering the martyrs in El Salvador and allowing their memory to stir your own commitment to service to the Gospel. We have a number of features on our website so that you can learn more about what happened and what it means for us today.

News

Bookmarks

Memorial
Fund

Hear Sisters Carla and Ita sing Lord
of the Road, a song composed by Carla

During the coming week, there will be other news and
features on our home page: www.maryknollsisters.org

Thank you for joining with us in remembering, praying, and pressing
on with the work of our beloved martyrs: making God’s love visible to the
poor, accompanying those who struggle for justice, responding to the urgent
needs of our world.

Celebrating Mercy

We had a beautiful celebration with Mercy today, seasoned with Tanzanian and Brazilian cultures and faith and love.

Religious vows--whether first, renewal, or final--are a time for all present to renew their commitment to following Christ.

As Mercy says, "Here I am Lord..." we also present ourselves once again to God and to our community.

Here is a quick overview:

God bless Mercy, all who love her (especially her parents), and the people she serves in Brazil.

Celebrating Commitment

I am unable to bilocate today. So while I will be present in our main chapel for the final vows of Sister Mercy Mtaita, my prayers are also with Dr. Susan Nagele who, just about one mile away, will be renewing her commitment as a Maryknoll Lay Missioner...and celebrating 25 years of service in Tanzania, Southern Sudan and Kenya.

I have many families, and most of them are big families. Sometimes my commitments and loyalties stretch me--and sometimes there's not enough to stretch as far as I would like.

Nonetheless, commitment to service to mission is a cause for celebration. And for affirming our commitment to service the mission of Jesus, to continue to seek and serve God's amazing reign of love.

Susan has been doing this for a long time. Mercy is younger, but in her service in Brazil, she also learns, grows, inspires.

Please join me and our Maryknoll communities and their families and friends in celebrating and praying for Susan and Mercy, and for all who strive to serve God and the people of God.

Esperanza's commitment

As I continue to try to learn many things, not all efforts are successful. This is not my best little movie, but gives a tiny glimpse of Sister Esperanza's first commitment as a Maryknoll Sister--continuing the long journey of faithful commitment to service she has already been living.

The next generation

I am preparing the materials for a mailing to solicit funds for our major renovations efforts. My focus for the renovations tends toward the idea of strengthening the foundation for the next 100 years of mission. I hope it will continue to be collaborative, in the Maryknoll spirit and beyond.
Here is a celebration of that next generation that will serve mission.

Yesterday was the ordination of Father Stephen Taluja. In the picture on the left, Father Stephen is blessing Archbishop Timothy Dolan.




















This morning was Father Stephen's first mass. Here is pictured with Sisters Janice McLaughlin, Jareen Aquino, Genie Natividad, Sue Rech, Laura Guledew, and Linda AB. Genie, Laura and Linda have nearly completed their formation as Maryknoll Sisters. Soon they will profess their vows and prepare for their first mission assignments as Maryknoll Sisters.






These committed people, far more than the buildings, are the foundation for the next generation of making God's love visible.

(Photos thanks to Maryknoll Fathers Joe Veneroso and Dennis Moorman)

Jubilee Witness and Challenge

We are celebrating Jubilees today--Sisters with 60, 65 and 70 years of commitment and service to the mission of Jesus. Some of them I have been privileged to know for many years. (a little rough glimpse: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XCMh1TGCsk )

This witness of long service and commitment stands in stark contrast to the apparent superficiality of so much involvement. As I continue to explore "cybermission," it makes me wonder about many things. FaceBook makes it very easy for me to click and join a new cause--that I do believe in (ending child prostitution, peace...) and also easy for me to post my causes (Darfur, AIDS) and hope that others will be influenced.

And clicking I can feel that I am DOING something (rather than NOTHING).

But am I?

Is a click, a post actually transforming relationship and action? Does it create in me a new heart and/or do anything to turn swords into ploughshares? Does it create peace, justice?

Sally McFague speaks of contemplatives in liberation. "The Christian practice of radical love knows no bounds: it does not stop at any border, even the human one."

Our amazing Sisters have crossed so many boundaries to make God's love visible. Their lives truly witness to Christ in whom all is redeemed and made one.

Watching, Waiting

As I walked down the hill this morning, trying to be a fraction mindful, in the near dark I saw two deer ahead crossing the road. I tried to move quietly and looked carefully to see if they would still be along side when I passed the place where they had crossed.

My watchfulness was rewarded. There in the meadow the two stood. From my perspective, they were watching and waiting for me. We stood looking at each other for a while--in the dark still I was appreciating this early morning gift. (Was I gift to them--or just another potential danger?)

In setting out on the journey that would prove to be the beginning of the Maryknoll Sisters Missionary Congregation, Mother Mary Joseph Rogers said, "Let's just go and see what God has in store for us."

Advent invites us to this watching and waiting for the mystery of God's love revealing itself every day.