Family Celebrations

Every family has its ways of celebrating significant events in their lives.  Our Sinsinawa family is no different!!  This past weekend we began by celebrating the life of our sister, Maureen Kennedy, who died last week.  Many gathered both for the Mass of Christian Burial, as well as the wake service that includes a time for “remembering.”  Everyone has a chance to tell stories, some funny and others poignant, about the person.  Each story expressed the love, gratitude and respect for Maureen and her life with us.

We elect new leaders every five years.  This was also the weekend of the change in leadership.  On Friday evening we gave thanks for our prioress and council from 2006-11.   We began with a ritual of gratitude followed by food and a wonderful program.  There were tears and great laughter as we expressed our thanks and love for these women who served us faithfully. 

And then on Saturday we installed our new prioress and council.  That celebration included a prayerful ritual, a wonderful dinner for sisters, associates, co-workers, family and friends and finally a party with DJ and karaoke.  Again, we expressed our love and support for these women who will be leading us for the next five years and celebrated this new moment in our Congregation history. 

Every weekend at Sinsinawa isn’t this full of celebration.  When our Sinsinawa family celebrates, however, it always includes prayer and ritual, food and fun!!  These times unite us and deepen our bonds of connection.  They are essential to our life!

What about your family?  How and what do you celebrate?

Mary Ann Nelson, OP

Madison, Wisconsin