February 26, 2010
Our Readers
Sister Geraldine was a mentor, guardian angel, a friend
As I reflect on my association with Sister Geraldine I find it difficult to recall exactly when we first met because it seems like I have known her forever. I recall attending Catechist Textbook sessions and religious education seminars over the years, but there are a few things that will forever be etched in my memory.
Sister Geraldine was always the one I could go to when I had a question, problem or concern. She was a mentor at times, a guardian angel at times — and always a person I could call my friend. She was the one who provided me with the opportunity and encouragement to be where I am today, a Spiritual Director and Lay Associate Chaplain in prison ministry. God worked through her to place me where I am needed the most at this point in my life.
She made it possible for me to complete the LIMEX and Spiritual Direction programs. Both of these experiences helped develop my understanding of social issues that are often overlooked or ignored by most of us.
I could go on and on, but the best I can say about Sister Geraldine is that she left her spiritual imprint on the hearts of more people in this life than she ever realized and that she will be truly missed by all who were privileged to have met her.
I say good bye for now Sr. Geraldine, but you will not be forgotten because you will always have a special place in my heart and in the hearts of those who knew you.
- Steve Barron | Evansville
Call to participate in prayer at Planned Parenthood in Bloomington
Editor’s note: The following has been edited for length.
I read the recent reports of those who traveled to the Washington D.C. 2010 March for Life with great interest. The sacrifice these pilgrims made of their time, money, comfort and more was a testimony to their belief in the sanctity of life. God bless them all!
At the risk of “preaching to the choir,” please indulge me as I reflect on my experience at the March for Life held in Bloomington, on a much smaller scale the same day. It has reinforced my belief that we are currently engaged in a Great Spiritual Battle. The most primary and once common-sense right of all human beings to life has been called into question, denied and even bitterly opposed. Surely, we see the obvious line in the sand because it has already been clearly drawn. We must demand that the scientifically proven and morally defined fact that life begins at the moment of conception be recognized and defended. This is a call to action for all believers.
Obviously, this call may be answered in different ways. Some are better suited for one type of ministry or call to action than another. Just as St. Paul told us recently (Jan. 24) in l Cor. a body has many parts, and all are parts of the body” there is to be no division as each part is just as important as the next. Those who coordinate paper drives or run Pregnancy Care Centers are just as needed as those who offer holy hours or rosaries. Those who contact their elected officials or donate to fund the court battles that fight abortion can make just as much difference as one who gently tries to persuade a young woman — or man — not to abort their child. It is vital that we all work together. God alone decides the value of our responses. The only one, I believe, He will not value is no response at all . . . apathy. Definition of apathy: lack of concern, lack of interest, laziness, lethargy, indifference.
I witnessed this apathy at the recent Walk for Life in Bloom-ington, Ind., on the 37th anni-versary of Roe v. Wade (Jan. 22). I realize that many of the good Hoosiers who traveled to Washington D.C. for the annual March for Life would have been there. However, the small number of participants at this south central Indiana location was shameful. Only about 75 people took part — with two from the Evansville Diocese.
Aside from a few supportive thumbs up from passing vehicles, most of the horns were honked angrily, with hand gestures and frowning faces to prove it. A few boos and hateful comments shouted at us as we made the two and one half mile walk through the campus of lndiana University to the Planned Parenthood abortion clinic and back were the only reactions we noticed. The number of negative comebacks received as we repeatedly prayed the rosary in procession paled in comparison to the great number of people who just stared, or even worse, simply ignored us.
The Spring 40 Days for Life [began] Ash Wednesday and runs through the 40 days of Lent . . . It was decided to be present at Bloomington’s Planned parenthood building on Mondays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (when they do scheduling and “counseling”), Thursdays 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (when they perform surgical abortions) and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (open for business as usual).
Our assigned days are Monday, March 8, Saturday, March 20 and Thursday, March 25.
Please contact me soon to answer questions and to sign up.
- Tracy Burch | Pb6174@avenuebroadband.com, Work: (812) 295-2492, Cell: (812) 296-1170
A tribute to Sister Geraldine
Toby Keith, a country western singer has a song out that tells the story of a man who just received word of the death of a friend. Two of the lines in the song are; I’m going to miss your smile, I’m going to miss you my friend . . . I’m not crying ‘cause I feel so sorry for you, I’m crying for me.
That’s how it feels now. I’m not crying for her. Sister Geraldine’s faith, and love of God and neighbor has brought her eternal peace and love. She is safe and happy not only with her loved ones gone before, but she is complete and one with the Trinity. We are the ones who are crying, but we are crying with a smile. Remembering when we saw her smile, when we heard her laughter. At every event or class, she was there with a smile on her face for everyone. Even when she was speaking, it seemed as if she had an inner smile that bespoke of some thing wonderful and happy.
Sr. Geraldine was one of the most generous and giving people I have ever known. She was generous with not only her time but herself, her knowledge, and her affirmative attitude. She encouraged so many to go back to school, to think of something new, to try something outside of our comfort zone, and most of all, to have a closer relationship to God.
Sr. Geraldine had a knack of bringing out the best in people, of highlighting their good points and downplaying the not so good points. She worked with our parish council (Nativity) showing us how to really listen to each other and to work as a team. She always started the meetings with prayers to God and the Holy Spirit asking for their guidance, and it was always done with a great love.
As I watched the community of Sisters coming into church for the Mass, I realized that Sr. Geraldine belonged not only to the diocese, but to the Community. She was the example of the Benedictine Rule, hospitality, work, prayer. Always welcoming, always prayerful, and always willing to give 100% to others.
She will be missed by those of us who knew her as a teacher, as a mentor, as a spiritual director, as a friend, as a sister, and as her sisters in Community put it, Mother of the Diocese.
- Velmarie Sitzman | Evansville