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One of my favorite things about being here in nun-school is the opportunity to get to know some of our elder Sisters better. The Novitiate - aka nun-school - is located next to where most of our east coast retired groovy sisters live, and on a fairly regular basis we get to visit with them.
One of the Sisters I've gotten to know is Sr. Louise. Sr. Louise lives in the infirmary. She had a stroke awhile back and as a result uses a wheelchair to get around and her eyes to do most of her talking. And her smile ... I can't forget her smile.
Sr. Louise was also our first "Sister President" - the title used during the renewal when we transitioned from "Mother General" to the current "Congregation Leader." She was elected in 1970 and served until 1978 - crucial times for our Congregation. Everyone always speaks of Sr. Louise and her leadership with such great respect and admiration.
Last week we had a groovy history lesson wit Sisters Rosalie & Janet. Part of the workshop involved a history scavenger hunt of sorts, looking for information about one of our past Mother Generals/Sister Presidents/Congregation Leaders. I was lucky enough to be assigned Sr. Louise!
I had great fun poking through the materials. I especially enjoyed reading her writings. Her letters on mundane topics related to cannon law were actually fun to read. I think part of the reason I enjoyed reading her writings so much was that as long as I've known her, she hasn't been able to communicate much. This must be so frustrating for her - which you can sometimes see in her eyes - because she is such a great communicator, as proven by her writings.
I wrote down this bit from the conclusion of her Address to the 1974 Chapter. They are wise words I think we would all do well to live by:"Let's keep asking. Let's keep imagining. We ARE partners with God. We can be agents of social change with him because He's invited us to do it. May He give us the grace to do so - the courage, faith, the humility to say yes." ~ Sr. Louise Dempsey, CSJP
2 comments:
Thank you for reposting this entry on this sad day. Sr. Louise Dempsey (Sr. Alacoque to me) was Principal at St. Luke's School, HoHoKus, NJ in the 1950's when I was in elementary school. She was a wonderful role model for all of us in every way. We sometimes don't know the impact of those who have touched our lives until many years later.
I thank you, too, Susan for posting this news and your earlier reflection on Louise's life in the CSJP community. She stands out in my mind as a woman of great courage, conviction, and vision. Without a doubt, she has been welcomed home by her Beloved and her loved ones.
Her physical presence among us will be missed, but her presence will surely continue to be felt and made known. Right now, I see her walking down York Street, stopping to talk, always with insight to last you through the day.
May Louise rest in peace, and may the CSJP community be comforted by good memories and challenged to be all that Louise, in the spirit of Margaret Anna Cusack, always invited the Sisters, Associates, and ministry partners to be.
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