Sister
Ann Therese Kelly
Religious Life: 33 years
I entered the Buffalo Felician Covent in August 26, 1973. I
was 19 years old and had spend one year at Niagara County Community
College as an art major. I was drawn to this particular community
by the cheerful and dedicated Felician Sisters who taught me
at Bishop Gibbons High School in North Tonawanda, NY I came
because I wanted to make a unique difference in the world. Today
I have the privilege of working in our Lodi Province (NJ) as
a Professor of Fine Art at Felician College. Now I can influence
the students in a cheerful and dedicated atmosphere, like my
own past mentors.
Sister
Judith Marie Kubicki, CSSF, Ph.D.
In her introduction, Sister Judith Marie identifies several sources
of inspiration for writing the book. These include the ethnic
parish she grew up in as a child, the Felician congregation, and
the many local communities with whom she has worshiped since the
reforms of Vatican II. A further source of inspiration has been
the experience of being a member of the gathered assembly and
a minister of music, and sharing, in these capacities, conversations
with others who are deeply committed to living the faith and worshipping
well. Sister Mary Ann Therese Kelly, CSSF, a fellow Buffalo Felician
teaching at Felician College in Lodi, New Jersey, designed the
cover art for the book.
A
tribute to my mother, Helen, whose skills and capacities were
diminished and taken from her by Cruetzfeldt-Jacob Disease. Through
it all, her eyes told me of her bravery, her gentleness, her acceptance
of extreme suffering. Aphasia stripped her of direct communication,
but her soul shone through her eyes.
“HER EYES”
Sister M. Albertine Stachowski (BU)
Her
eyes DANCED,
when there was no music---
Her eyes TOUCHED,
when she couldn't reach---
Her eyes LOVED,
when she couldn't say it---
Her eyes KNEW,
when she no longer could---
Her eyes SPOKE,
when she had no voice---
Her eyes SPARKLED,
as she faded away.
In
her loss
She shared much.
A
Seed of Life …
S.M. Richardine Baranski (BU)
45 years of Religious Life
- planted in love within the womb of a faith-filled family;
- tended lovingly toward a time of spiritual growth in Catholic
schools;
- nurtured and protected during those growing years under
the watchful eyes and loving hands of vowed religious;
- yearning for the warmth of those same “Son-filled”
days to share
Him in like manner; however
- doubts, questions and uncertainty mingle with the desire to
be touched
by Love – Who dispels all fear that I, with all my nothingness,
can make that dream real; then
- blossoming from the “Son’s-touch” with a fragrance
that draws many
toward the Father’s love - in the classroom,
- in sacramental preparation,
- in a presence for others by sharing
their joys and sorrows; wanting always
- to give time and talent back to Him, Who generously shares His
love
with all creation – trusting that His touch will again create
another
“Seed of Life” to continue His Circle of Love!
