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Leaders Corner
Sister Donna Frey
Leadership Advisor
Farewell Sister Mary Jo Szpila
Autumn – the Season of Longings and Transitions
October is my favorite month and autumn is my favorite season of the year. I am always amazed at how much this season offers for reflection: beauty, color, gratitude, surrender, transition, transformation, shadows, shorter days and longer nights.
Autumn also implies a sense of longing. Summer days are gone and winter days loom ahead. We are not yet ready to let go. Yet God has given us this special time to transition ourselves from one season to the next. Life goes on and change is with us in a new way. Autumn speaks of mystery and God's presence in a different way.
Our Community has gone through a major transition in governance since June 12. Adjusting to new leadership, new office hours, a “getting-to-know-you” phase and some adjustments with civil and canonical documents, we find God inviting us to move inward to keep sacred the memories of what used-to-be, to what is. As we approach Thanksgiving in November, we are called to give thanks and express our gratitude to God for all the gifts we have been given. Our blessings become the sustenance and nourishment that carry us through this cycle of life until next spring.
Autumn is constantly reminding us that life goes on and brings changes, encouraging us to look at new ways to ready ourselves for the unexpected. We move on as the flow of God's grace continues to enrich the very core of our beings. Each of us has particular desires and longings that ache for tender care and kindness. Sometimes change hurts and brings sorrow. As each leaf falls to the ground and the trees become bare, we too, might reflect on the leaves that must fall from our lives in order to bring about transformation, new life and somehow brings us closer to God.
With Gratitude, We Say Farewell
The Ursuline Sisters bid a fond farewell to Sister Mary Jo Szpila, SND, who served as our Pastoral Care Director for the past 10 years, during a luncheon at Rosary Care Center on September 24. Sister Mary Jo will continue in her expanded role as community coordinator for the Sisters of Notre Dame who reside in the greater Toledo area.
“I have many happy memories of being with all of you - Sisters, Associates and staff - as part of St. Angela’s world,” Sister Mary Jo said. She reminisced about the times she blessed the hands of the employees at the Center, invited Priests to say Mass, lead spiritual committees, and joined the Director to notify residents of the Center’s closing. From the strains of stories learned, confidences shared and friendships made, Sister Mary Jo said she is grateful for life’s journey, its many destinations and the friends she’s made along the way.
Sister Mary Jo, we wish you all the best in your new endeavor and look forward to seeing you at upcoming Ursuline events.