In September, I attended the celebration of a sister’s Golden Jubilee. Sister Maureen Burke, President of St. John School in Ashtabula, OH, was celebrating 50 years as a Sister of Notre Dame. And what a celebration it was! It began Sunday afternoon with a wonderful Mass in a parish church. Afterwards, the 300 guests proceeded to the beautifully decorated parish hall for a social and dinner. While guests mingled, an Irish band played and sang a vast array of Irish songs.
At each guest’s table place, there was a card with a message of thanksgiving from Sister Maureen. I was so touched by her words, I asked her if I could share them on my blog. She kindly said yes. The card featured a Celtic Knot similar to the one above. It is a decorative pattern built from continuous looping lines that pass over and under one another with no clear beginning or end. It symbolizes eternal life, the continuous flow of time, and the interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual worlds. Although the Celtic Knot is a hallmark of Celtic heritage, its form is shared by Roman, Greek, Germanic, and Norse traditions.
All of the invited guests had shared some part of Sister Maureen’s life: her immediate family, friends from her childhood, colleagues, fellow teachers, former students, other Sisters of Notre Dame, priest friends, business associates, etc. I remember thinking as I gazed at the crowd: every person here is connected to Maureen in some way. Each one has played a role in her life and ministry. On the back of the card, Sister Maureen wrote the following words. I couldn’t help but think how appropriate these words would be for other celebrations–such as a wedding, a wedding anniversary, a birthday, a graduation, a retirement party, and even Thanksgiving Day.
“Just like the Celtic Knot, our lives are intertwined. The twists and turns of the knot symbolize the unique path we have walked together navigating life’s ups and downs, side by side. Friendship has no beginning or end, remaining strong regardless of time and distance.
“I give thanks today for the many people who have walked this road with me. Each of you has been part of this story, part of the blessing God has written across these 50 years. You have created moments of “RescuedTime.” While we cannot truly stop time, remembering and cherishing our past allows us to reclaim its beauty and wisdom.
“In that sense, memory becomes a gift, one that lets us revisit moments that shaped who we are. In essence, “Rescued Time” teaches that while time passes quickly, love, memory, and gratitude allow us to hold onto what truly matters. You are a key part of my life, bringing sweetness and light as we walk the road together. With a grateful heart I offer a quiet prayer:
May the good we have shared continue to grow,
may our lives be forever intertwined,
and may we all walk with the certainty of faith that God will bless the days to come.“
For reflection:
Have you ever experienced friendship “that remains strong regardless of time and distance”?
What concrete things do you do “to remember and cherish the past”?
Take time this week to “revisit some moments that shaped who you are.” You’re invited to share one of those moments below if you wish.
How strong is your faith “that God will bless the days to come”?
It seems only fitting that we end this reflection with the “Irish Blessing.” I chose this choral version with lyrics.
As always, I encourage you to add a comment below…
