By Fr. Justin Fulton
This picture of Sister Karen at the St. Gianna Women’s Home tells it all about the Catholic life... live with contagious joy, the joy of knowing Jesus and His love for all of us!
This picture was taken on Labor Day. Sister Karen went ahead and made some funnel cakes that were (as quoted by Sister Bernadette) “better than the ones they have at the State Fair.”
I share this photo for a couple of reasons: 1. to embarrass Sister Karen (I’ll pay for that, I know. And then will pay for it again in Purgatory.) But more importantly... 2. to share the smile Sister Karen has on her face!
It seems nowadays people can find a reason to complain about a blue sky. We complain about everything. I won’t even mention what we complain about because I am tired of complaining about the same things. Yet, do we really have to be so down about everything if we know our true home is in Heaven and Jesus is truly present with us until the end of the age?
Look at the smile of Sister Karen. Most people in this “modern world” would consider her life something of “a waste.” She’s given up a husband and children of her own. She takes up a vow of poverty and has given up fame and fortune. On Labor Day she is not out on the lake or at the Nebraska State Fair. She rarely gets to see her family. Many times no one thanks her or even acknowledges her existence on this earth.
But look at Sister’s face... it is filled with radiant, beaming, contagious joy!
Sister has emptied herself of all of the “joys” of this world to be filled with the true Joy of the one born in a manger more than 2,000 years ago—“Joy to the World”—Jesus Christ. Amidst the stresses of the world, Sister’s vocation of caring, mentoring, and shepherding women and children who escape from physical, mental, and emotional harm—and yes, sometimes even human trafficking and murder—is truly making a difference. She labors with joy (not many of us can honestly say that, can we?) and her work and life is literally out of this world: it is Heavenly.
Our sisters, employees, volunteers, donors, and spiritual and monetary benefactors join together from all parts of the world to help better the lives of women and children escaping from inhumane and dangerous situations. Together we bring Hope in the Good Life. And together we allow Jesus Christ and His joy to enter into this world.
Thank you Sister Karen for giving the world the best homily we can hear: an unspoken smile filled with the joy and love of Jesus Christ!
Thank you for your support of Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska.
May God bless and keep us always!
