The Sisters, Servants of Mary, Need Our Help to Help

  We see a picture like this, her name is, by the way, Mother Maria Soledad Torres Acosta, Saint Maria Soledad Torres Acosta, canonized in our own time, 1970 and we think of quaint times, but what does this nun have to do with me?

A great deal because just as in her time, the 19th century, people now, and in the future, are and will be alone. They have and will have little and they need and will need care when they are sick and dying, and afraid. They do it, for free, loving nurse-nuns, that so few know about despite the most magnificent of callings. But once you know about them, and what they do, ministering to the ill, in their homes, not in the sterile and the cold of hospital, for free, how can any of us not take whatever small action to keep them afloat financially, to support their work? Surprisingly, it has been hard to do, to keep them going, because who wants to hear about taking care of the sick, and worse, the dying? "Death? I don't want to think about death," we say to ourselves as if we can put some kind of magic wall between us and our mortality. These women are around death all the time, and yet, meet one of them and what you see only is life! They are happier than most of us with all the illusions that surround us. 

Every year there is a luncheon to benefit them. It helps. Keeps them somewhat solvent. But never nearly enough to help all that need help. So many invitations are sent out, and so few respond. There are bigger, more glamorous causes. But this cause, it is basic, it is foundational, but it is certainly not inherently glamorous.

I am sending this entry as a link to friends. Send it, would you, to your friends, our friends, to caring strangers. There is going to be another benefit luncheon on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at Bullock's Wilshire, 3050 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, beginning with a reception at 11 a.m. with lunch served at 12:15. It is $85.00 for the luncheon, that's more than their usual luncheon, yes, it's a bit,  but the location changed from last year, in the admittedly worldly hope that a touch of glamor might throw a light on something and someones indispensable that are too little known. If you can go, those who live in Los Angeles, RSVP to El Rita Henneberry, 4214 Holly Knoll Drive, Los Angeles, Ca. 90027. Assuming most people can't come, they are not here in town,  send a donation, any donation--become a sustaining member--there is a small group for now, more, with His Grace, for all indeed is possible with Him and with our cooperation.

Those quaint little nuns. . . they are not quaint at all, they are giants of charity, their ministry and their prayers are gifts of Providence. . ..and your involvement will bring more to you than anything you give. Ask anyone who has been a devotee of the Sisters, Servants of Mary and their work.

It is said we each have a purpose. Maybe this is mine. Maybe it is yours. One small, repeated act of giving to these quiet, humble sisters who love the sick and the dying on their way to Paradise.