Aging with Grace

One of the unexpected benefits of working at St. Francis Inn is getting to know women religious. Other than the wonderful Maryvale Community in Lincoln County, Mark and I have had little contact with women religious during the past 35 years. There are a number of Sisters that we have come to know and admire.
Sister Jude is a Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth. She was a college art professor for many years before becoming a visiting nurse. Now, at 77, she works 3 days a week at the Inn and always cooks the dinner on Wednesday. It is amazing to see this septuagenarian baking chicken for 300.
Sister Mary, an Alleghany Franciscan, 73 years old and Sr. Leslie,68, a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia, both began their ministry in education. At some point they both decided to work with the poor and served at women's shelters in New York and Boston. In the early '90's they came to Kensington. They organize the rest of us, clean, carry loads, and help the guests. Their energy puts me to shame.
Another Sister comes on Tuesday and Thursday and helps with the breakfast for the guests. She and her twin sister are both Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, founded by St. Katharine Drexel here in Philadelphia. The order was founded to serve Native American and African-American children, and Sister Margaret,87, spent most of her ministry serving at reservations in the Southwestern U.S. She just celebrated her 60th anniversary as a sister.
I think the positive outlook these Sisters exude and the energy they have that allows them to help others are partially products of a life of prayer, reflection, and happiness in their choice of a vocation.