Running an eight-bed intensive care unit at a long-term acute care facility has its ups and downs, Sr. Magdalena Rybak says. But the 42-year-old Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth says it's all part of a calling that is alive and well more than 20 years after she entered religious life. She talked to Global Sisters Report about nursing, her life's passion.
Eloise Rosenblatt is a Sister of Mercy of the Americas from California. After a decade teaching English and religion in high school, she obtained an advanced degree in theology and ministered in academia for 20 years in teaching and administration. She later went into law and for 10 years has been practicing family law as a civil attorney in private practice, serving both paying and pro bono clients, mostly women. Currently, she is a member of a writing team with the Canon Law Society of America, producing a handbook on religious life.
"Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see."
An important lesson in my life is one that I'm still learning. It involves welcoming and trusting God as a loving father, rather than as a severe judge or "divine tester." Once, when I was quite young and probably came home with some catechism lesson about heaven and hell, my dad said with great conviction, that as a father he could never consign any of his children to unending torment — that is, to hell. His conviction was an awakening for me.
Kochi, India - "I got my kidneys as a gift from God. As life is precious, I gave that as a gift to another person." With the help of the Kidney Federation of India, founded by Fr. Davis Chiramel, sisters in Kerala state, along with priests and one bishop, have donated a kidney, with recipients including relatives, fellow sisters, and strangers. It's path-breaking in a country where commercial kidney transplant is rampant.
"Who would believe the diversity hidden in a small patch of lawn? Violets and dandelions are only the beginning. If we take time to notice the smallest, the wonder is amazingly huge!"
Joy Clough is a Sister of Mercy living in Chicago. From ministry as a high school English and journalism teacher, she became a writer of histories, director of communication for the Sisters of Mercy, and director of the office of public information for the Chicago Archdiocese. After serving as assistant to the president at Saint Xavier University, she was elected president of her congregation in Chicago. Since then she has held various positions in the university's office of mission and heritage.
Sometimes I falsely think I know the Mississippi River. But I haven't experienced the whole of the river; I likely never will. And I'll never know all of God. The vastness of God shrinks me. Yet, within God's mystery is a peace.
See for Yourself - "Hello," she hailed. "Are you looking for a gluten-free restaurant? If so, you've come to the right place. I just opened this location about three months ago." Although I actually wasn't looking for a gluten-free restaurant, I sat down in the open café chair next to her.
"Roll on, thou deep and dark blue Ocean, roll! Ten thousand fleets sweep over thee in vain; man marks the earth with ruin; his control stops with the shore; upon the watery plain."