It is Mary Oliver in her
poem, “The Summer Day,” that said, “What is it you plan to do with your one
wild and precious life?” For Sr. Carol Ann, it seems that she is continuing to
spend her life learning and growing – both in her ministries and herself
personally. When Carol Ann returned to the Monastery building in ’89 after
working in parishes, she essentially was handed a hodgepodge of tasks to keep
busy with during her year home. Now 24 years later, each of her ministries has
grown into more than anyone had imagined. Among her primary responsibilities is
her coordination of the Social Justice Department and Committee. What started
in a file box of accumulated mail has become a thriving part of the monastic
community as well as in the greater and even global community. Carol Ann has
also taken on the responsibilities as Forest Land Manager, her favorite job,
and has become the Certified Operator for the Water System at the Monastery, a
job that comes with a lot of pressure (no pun intended). Furthermore, Carol Ann
assists in leading the music for the Eucharist celebrations. Needless to say,
Carol Ann has filled in with what has been needed, and found her own passions
in the process.
While Carol Ann
originally came with a background in math and science, her ministry work right
from the start has filled different needs. One such need has turned into a
great passion, that being the stewardship of the land. In Benedictine-fashion,
the question initially arose out of discussion of the best means to care for
the land entrusted to the monastic community (1,400 acres, to be more precise).
It was clear more knowledge was needed, and at a forest diseases workshop,
Carol Ann rediscovered her love for the forest. Since then, she has
participated in innumerous workshops, presentations, and educational workshops,
and I have yet to have the opportunity to learn first-hand from Carol Ann,
Master Forest Steward. It is in this field especially that Carol Ann recognizes
both her sacrifices and her gains by becoming a Benedictine sister. Certainly
the knowledge and educational opportunities have been some of the most
prominent gains, yet this has come at the cost of creating a family. Through
two battles with breast cancer, it was more acute to Carol Ann how she
sacrificed the unwavering support and love from a potential husband. This did
not come into consciousness at the age of 13 when she entered, but today it is
quite clear what a significant sacrifice this has been. Even so, Carol Ann has
made numerous friends through her forestry work and her other ministries. In my
experience, she has lovingly chided me on my clothing color choices.
Nevertheless, when I see that faint smile over my latest antic, it is then that
I truly see the care that Carol Ann takes with all of creation, including me
and my bright green shoes.
The care and hospitality
of all creation is one way Carol Ann lives the community mission statement,
which says, “Healing Hospitality. Grateful Simplicity. Creative Peacemaking.”
Simply put, Carol Ann shared her philosophy as “Care for everything as if it
were the sacred vessels of the altar.” To care for everything in such a way
takes more effort than just one person can provide. Carol Ann has reminded me
that we all need other people, and this community is no exception. As the mean
age of this monastic community continues to increase, in order to continue to
thrive there will need to be a new acceptance of limits. Part of this will be
through the assistance of volunteers, oblates, and staff members, but part of
it will also be to trust in God’s will, according to Carol Ann. All of these
experiences have continued opportunities for growth, for as Carol Ann has put
it, “We won’t stop growing until 10 minutes after we’re dead.” And this, to
answer Mary Oliver’s question, is what Sr. Carol Ann is doing with her one wild
and precious life.
No comments:
Post a Comment