You’ve heard of Sarah Bauer, right? Yeah, me too! I’ve always been deeply impressed with her work, and just recently, after a good deal of prayer and thought, I emailed her. I had an important question to ask and a reflection to share on a talk she had given, but I kinda figured I was just “one in a million faces” to her. So I wrote her – then thought nothing more…oh well, her life goes on and so does mine.
Check out this woman of faith!
My work, as you may know, is Vocation Ministry “nun-recruiting” (as I say for my siblings). So I meet a lot of people who are very dedicated to their faith. Though I’m in Rome translating at our General Chapter, the Sisters at home opened their doors and hearts again to some young women who are considering our life. I had been in touch with one of the girls who was coming on this weekend. Let’s say her name was Ann. So today, I get this in my inbox from Sarah Bauer:
Hey Sr. Colleen,
So, after our sweet e-mail interactions I was hanging out after daily mass yesterday and heard from a dear, dear young woman who I know who has been seeking the right order to discern with that she just spent a weekend with the Salesians and LOVED them!!!! I’m CCing her to this e-mail, her name is Ann… I mentioned I’d been in communication with you and she was so excited, she mentioned you were in Rome? How awesome! I hope you’re having a blast. Anyways, I thought it was a beautiful moment and reminded me that God’s people are so connected…God bless you Sister!In joySarah
Dearest Sarah,
Hi!!
What a nice, nice surprise to hear from you again…
I TOTALLY can’t believe you know Ann. And, YES, I’m in Rome…I know, I know…hard life, but hey, SOMEONE has to do it. No, really, the truth is I’m here to translate for our General Chapter. I never even thought this was a possibility… When our provincial mentioned it to me I brushed it off…hey, there are 14,000 plus Daughters of Mary Help of Christans in the world…what are my chances? Yup, but here I am – at the Salesian Sisters‘ 22nd General Chapter – sitting in a booth and providing simultaneous translation. I can’t even begin to tell you what a thrill it is for me!
Our theme for the General Chapter is based on the first article of our Constitutions, which says, “we give our life to God, becoming for young people a sign and expression of His foreseeing love.” and one of the most amazing things is how often God really does that…God first shows us His love – as He did so clearly by providing a connector in Ann, and then He asks us to mirror this for others.
Let’s pray for one another, Sarah, that we can truly mirror this love He so abundantly pours on us!
I have a blog – if you don’t mind – I just HAVE to tell the world about this … check out my post!
In Our Lady’s Hands,
Sr. Colleen, FMA
You see, I thought God was done… but for God, there is no “huge mass” of people for which and to which He gives Himself, and once again, He has brought me face to face with that reality. He loves us each individually, specifically, personally. (And now, I’m exchanging emails with Sarah Bauer…be jealous, world!)
