Approaching a Jubilee year is an experience for me of the Emmaus story in the Gospel (Luke 24:13-35). Jesus appeared to the disciples, but they did not recognize Him at first. Then He explained the meaning of recent events. The disciples responded, “Were not our hearts burning within us?” while Jesus spoke to them on the way and opened the scriptures to them.
After working with children and families for more than 50 years, I know that God blessed me with loving and sacrificing parents, Mary and John, and with a generous and loving sister, Mary. Through this journey, Jesus taught me the blessing of the unconditional love of a true family.
During my first-grade year, my parents made the decision to move our family to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Glenview, Illinois, a parish that valued faith and families. I became a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis after seeing the joy and compassion of the sisters in our parish school. For 60 years, I have shared life with, prayed with, and ministered with them. Through this journey, Jesus is teaching me the selfless dedication of these extraordinary women in vowed life.
Because the community allowed me to become a lawyer, I have served in ministries dedicated to the protection and development of children. My ministries in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and in a private law practice allowed me to advocate for abused children and work for restorative justice. Through this journey, Jesus revealed the dignity of persons who live on the margins of our society, yet are essential to the fabric of our society.
Today, I work with precious children at Maryville, a child welfare agency in the Archdiocese of Chicago, and as international Treasurer of the School Sisters of St. Francis (serving with our dedicated sisters in eleven countries). On these journeys, Jesus is teaching me to appreciate the beauty of their unique lives and the gifts they offer the human family.
Approaching this Jubilee year, my heart is burning as Jesus continues to open the Gospel to me.