United With Mary Standing at the Foot of the Cross: Sr. Kathleen Stakelum, MSC
March 19th, 2010
I was present at the Congregational Chapter Session when the phrase United with Mary standing at the foot of the cross was added to the beginning of the Marianites of Holy Cross Mission Statement. The phrase was a way to tap into and express the spirituality which was developed from the very beginning of our congregation when our founder, Blessed Basil Moreau, dedicated the sisters to Our Lady of Seven Dolors.
I came to appreciate this statement in a new way when the sister I was living with was diagnosed with cancer. Day after day as I prayed for her and accompanied her to diagnostic tests, the phrase United with Mary standing at the foot of the Cross came to me. I felt that I was not alone, that Mary who stood with Jesus stood with me as I in turn stood with my sister in her suffering. I also felt the presence of community through prayer. That experience has come to me since then whenever I find myself feeling helpless before the suffering of others around me.
In my present ministry as Formation Director the mission statement is crucial in explaining to potential new members what our community is aboutwe are apostolic women of prayer and compassion. One of the things that draws some of the women Ive talked to is the sense of compassion for those who suffer and a desire to make a difference, as we say, to be a prophetic presence in an ever-changing world. They look to see how we are doing that and how we resolutely stand with those who are excluded. The particular ways we do thatthrough education, social ministry, health care, pastoral service at nursing homes, retreat ministry or spiritual direction, youth ministry, adult education, campus ministry, parish ministry, ministry of prayer and presence, etc. are ways of expressing the attitude of heart which leads us to notice those who are being left behind or excluded in society. We then open our hearts and minds to them in a way that enables them to improve conditions for themselves and others.
Our MSC mission statement begins and ends with the posture of standing. By uniting with Mary standing at the foot of the cross, we receive the grace to stand with those who are excluded in our world today. We stand in solidarity, ready to respond in action.
Reflection on Our Marianite Mission Statement: Sr. Cynthia Knowles
January 1st, 2010MSC Mission Statement:
United with Mary standing at the foot of the cross, we, Marianites of Holy Cross, are apostolic religious, women of prayer and compassion.
Our mission, energized by our life in community, is to incarnate the love and compassion of Jesus Christ. Called to be a prophetic presence in an ever-changing world, we resolutely stand with those who are excluded.
After a change in ministry and a change in scenery, I knew I needed a prayer adjustment. How so? I recently began a new ministry in pastoral care at a Continuing Care Community facility, and the call to be a compassionate presence has challenged me to go deeper and to look beyond what I thought possible for myself on my spiritual journey. In my earlier years of ministry, I never entertained the thought of spending time with the elderly. Now, each day I am called to look beyond the weakened hands and feet, the clouded eyes that struggle to see, ears that are often closed to the sounds of our world, wrinkled skin that shows years of wear and tear, ears that are often closed to the sounds of our world, and minds that strive with great effort to remain alert. It is there I see the suffering face of Christ. The elderly have many needs and long for relief from pain, and for a comforting and compassionate presence. Often, none of these are available.
What can I do? My prayer adjustment! Each morning I go down to the potters house, (Jeremiah 18) and I beg the potter to refashion me and mold me into a clay vessel worthy of my ministry. Yes, with my senior residents, the potter has a new set of helpers, and together they are working hard to plug up the leaks in the clay vessel that I am as I continue to embrace a new aspect of being a woman of prayer and compassion.
Subsequent issues will feature other sisters comments in the Mission Statement.