“How beautiful on the mountain top are the feet of those…who bring good news”. (Is. 12:7-9)
This in today’s Epiphany reading has prompted me to “put pen to paper” in response to the request to write something of my life in California for Mercy Alive.
Yes, the Mission Hymn of the 1950’s was dear to my heart, as on the day of Final Profession in 1959, I, with companion Maura Feeley, bade adieu to family and Mercy Community assembled and set off to join Sligo Mercies already in California. The desire to be missionary was in my mind and heart since high school days in St. Peter’s, Athlone, Co Westmeath. Today, thanks to God, to Mercy, to the people young and older with whom I have served, “it has been a wonderful ‘missionary’ life” – all sixty-five years.”
My first forty years in California in the Dioceses of San Diego and San Bernardino were devoted to education – to teaching, mentoring, graduate studies in theology and school administration as well as Regional Leadership for the then 29 Sligo Mercy Sisters. The spirit of Vatican II and Aggiornamento was eagerly adopted by our Mercy Community, our energy nourished by Diocesan visioning and Mercy Leadership. I had the opportunity of becoming a member of National Catholic Educational Association, and the Conference of Religious Directors of Education.
This latter was a wonderful resource in keeping in touch with many Religious Communities involved in education, parish and hospital ministry and social justice. This was a great asset to me, when in 2006, after serving a term as Diocesan Chancellor with Bishop Gerald Barnes, I was appointed his Vicar for Religious. I still continue in that role, now part time, as delegate of our present Bishop Alberto Rojas. Membership in the National Conference of Vicars for Religious and 12 years on the Council of the Western Conference have afforded me a wealth of information and insight in dealing with and responding to the legal issues, needs and concerns of Religious.
Over the past years we know that religious life has gone through many changes. Religious communities, long established in the diocese like our Mercy group, have diminished in membership, through retirement and lack of interest in and support of vocations to Consecrated Life. However, as demographics changed, we welcomed International Religious Communities to respond to the needs of our multicultural people. Being a support and resource for these new communities, helping them acquire needed documentation, accommodation and opportunities for service has been a blessing for me. It has been a joy to be invited to their celebrations, while they in turn participate eagerly in Diocesan and Jubilee celebrations and in-services for Religious.
Sr. Mary Frances Coleman
Ongoing communication and relationship with the Religious is to me of utmost importance. Many live singly and welcome connection, as I do now since I am the only Sister of Mercy in the Diocese. On the closing of our last Mercy house in Redlands, I have chosen to live in a senior community residence in the same city I’ve lived in for the past 25 years. The community of 100 is of various religious affiliations and varied professional backgrounds – all companions on the journey of life. Of course, I miss my Mercy Community, but I see my call to be a Mercy presence, as I look for the face of God in each person I daily encounter in the residence and in my ministry.
“Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.” (Rabbi Abraham Heschel)
Mary Frances Coleman RSM
US Region
Sr. Mary Frances Coleman
closing of our last Mercy house in Redlands, I have chosen to live in a senior community residence in the same city I’ve lived in for the past 25 years. The community of 100 is of various religious affiliations and varied professional backgrounds – all companions on the journey of life. Of course, I miss my Mercy Community, but I see my call to be a Mercy presence, as I look for the face of God in each person I daily encounter in the residence and in my ministry.
“Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.” (Rabbi Abraham Heschel)
Mary Frances Coleman RSM
US Region
