We’ve Only Just Begun
November 30, 2009
Thank You, Sister, the letter campaign in support of women religious, has ended. Over 300 letters were sent in and posted at www.thankyousister.com. In the coming weeks, these letters will be sent to Mother Mary Clare Millea, Cardinal Franc Rode, Cardinal Francis George and Pope Benedict XVI as well as leadership teams of communities of women religious in the US.
Although this letter campaign has ended, our gratitude and support for women religious is never ending. A quick glance through just a few of these letters proves the great impact women religious have had on our lives.
A heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in the campaign. If you did not get a chance to send in your letter, please leave it as a comment below and we’ll make sure it gets to the right people.
Finally, let us say one last time (on this site): THANK YOU, SISTERS!
December 3, 2009 at 11:45 pm
I read every one of these letters, mostly to honor the sisters. They can be sorted in categories, such as general testimonials, tributes to named mentors and educators, stories of life changes, of strengthened faith, of fulfilling service due to the influence of a Sister, Sisters forming young people and Sisters influencing the wider community and its institutions. Some voiced disappointment, suspicion, outrage at the questionnaires and visits now required of the Sisters. And some gave charitably diplomatic nudges at the consciences of the authorities involved in the investigations of the Sisters’ lifestyle and doctrinal sioundness. There was one voice at least that expressed reverence for the habit and convent community of old. These are my impressions, not an analysis. The impact of the whole, however, is what was astounding and humbling for me! These women were so engaged, building community, Church, society. God knows the whole story, and God will be their reward. I wish for the authorities to whom these letters are sent, in the reading of them all, an affirmation of their own faith and trust in the Holy Spirit. Oremus pro invicem.