Maryknoll Sisters

 

I was on a New York City subway recently, people-watching and listening as I so much enjoy doing. My attention was caught by a young woman and a child in a stroller.

The woman appeared to be non-verbal, communicating with the boy by signing and using facial expressions. The child was able to talk and sign. The attention between them was focused and constant.

I rode on beyond their stop, but they stayed with me.

What happens when my attention to others is so focused? What about the attention between myself and God?

The urging is frequent to listen; open eyes let one see who speaks.

 – Sister Janet Hockman, MM

 

I have been to two Vocation meetings within a week.

The energy was unmistakable – friends meeting again, curious questions of how others have been and what they have been doing – catching up.

Maybe it was like the season of returning to school after a summer break! The energy was also high about the ministry of invitation, of vocations, of possibilities toward new membership.

What a wonder to have such a concentration of commitment and love and service and hope and joy. It was a kind of witnessing to each other.

May it overflow to all we meet.

 – Sister Janet Hockman, MM

Our Maryknoll Sisters main dining room was packed at 12:00 noon today. Mission assignments would be announced to Maryknoll Sisters HyunJung Kim, Gloria Agnes, Isabel Araujo and to Associate Sister Nena Hermil, TDM.

Spontaneous joy and excitement erupted. A blessing song of support was sung for the newly assigned. Hugs and congratulations continued the celebration.

The four Sisters began a mission preparation program in collaboration with the candidates for the Maryknoll Lay Missioner Program. The Mission-sending is scheduled for December.

Sisters HyunJung and Isabel will be going to Brazil and Sisters Gloria and Nena are off to Bolivia.

— Sister Janet Hockman, MM

On the 18th of September, seven of our Maryknoll Sisters celebrated their Golden Jubilee. Fifty years of life as a Maryknoll Sister.

Thanksgiving threaded through the celebrations. They renewed, again, their commitment to live in mission and community in the spirit of the Gospel and the vision of our foundress, Mollie Rogers. Commitment is possible, lived into one day at a time, into the fullness of a lifetime.

No one starts with all that’s needed for the faith and mission journey. What is needed is given…graces along the way.

What commitment are you called to live into?

– Sister Janet Hockman, MM

Last Wednesday, I had an opportunity to meet with a group of men and women who will go on short-term mission assignments, many of them for the first time.

I asked them where they were going. Uganda, Ethiopia, China, Bolivia, and Cambodia. I felt the excitement within and had a tender taste again of what it is to “send” others out.

I was with them to look at aspects of spirituality for mission. My neat outline was also covered with unfolding thoughts and memories.

I never got to play the song God Is Here, but it ran as a refrain for me. God is wherever “here” is.

It is our attention to that mystery that opens possibilities for endless relationships and compassionate service — the possibility of being called and sent.

— Sister Janet Hockman, MM