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Profession of vows another reason to celebrate in Christmas season
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Sister Sarah Hennessey, right, and Sister Lucy Ann Meyer
relieve some tension with a smile during practice for Sister Sarah's vow
cermeony.
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In what may have been a one-of-a-kind celebration, Sister Sarah Hennessey professed
her first vows on the Feast of the Holy Family, Dec. 30, surrounded by her "holy
family." At her public profession, Sister Sarah's family and friends, who
include Quakers, agnostics, Protestants and others, were warmly welcomed by
her FSPA family.
With assistance from FSPA archives, Sister Lucy Ann Meyer, incorporation co-minister,
learned that only two others have professed first vows in December. Sister Lucy
Ann observed, "What better time to for Sister Sarah to profess her vows
than the Feast of the Holy Family. During the Christmas season we are reminded
that, as Franciscans, we are called to be in relationship with others."
Sister Sarah indicated that initially her first vow date was chosen as a matter
of convenience, but when she read the Scripture for the day she felt that God
had truly chosen the date. She said, "The readings spoke of God fulfilling
promises in the midst of our relationships and our daily life."
Twinkling Christmas lights and profuse poinsettias framed the sanctuary, creating
a warm and celebratory atmosphere for the late afternoon liturgy. Well-known
and much-loved hymns such as Come All Ye Faithful, What Child is This,
and Joy to the World encouraged participation. The Holy Family was present
symbolically in the crib scene located just to the left of the altar, and spiritually
in the hearts of all who participated in the liturgy. Father Jude Weisenbeck
presided.
In a welcome where she described Sister Sarah as genuine in speech and demeanor,
Sister Marlene Weisenbeck said, "With you we find the face of God as a
family centered in the Eucharist."
Sister Marlene also extended a special welcome to Sister Sarah's family and
friends, several of whom participated in the liturgy. Her parents were gift
bearers, and her aunts and sister contributed their musical gifts. Affiliates,
novices and pre-FSPA friends served as liturgical ministers.
Many of these same people adorned the program aid designed by Sister Sarah.
For the cover she created a collage of photos-composed predominantly of group
images-of the people who have walked with her on her sacred journey. At the
center of the collage was a wood-cut image of the Holy Family.
In her reflection Sister Cecilia Corcoran wove Sister Sarah's story together
with that of the Holy Family and the FSPA. She spoke of the Scriptures as snapshots
of the daily life of Abraham and Sarah, Mary and Joseph (Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3;
Luke 2:22, 39-40). Similarly Sister Cecilia shared a snapshot of the first time
she met Sister Sarah saying, ". . . she was totally herself. No pretensions,
no striving for attention, kind of hanging back, listening, adding these little
zingers of humor and philosophy that artfully revealed the light of her soul."
Near the end of her remarks Sister Cecilia positioned Sister Sarah as representative
of all of the newer members of the FSPA. She referenced the transitions being
made by that group of women as they embrace active ministry in the 21st century
and promised congregational support. "We pledge to walk with you because
to be an FSPA is a way of life. We don't ever retire from this divine quest."
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Sister Sarah Hennessey's aunt Judy Johnson greets her
in the chapel before the ceremony. Judy played a piano duet with Sister
Sarah's sister Eleanor Hennessey.
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Sister Cecilia concluded by suggesting that the vow ceremony presented another
snapshot, or a family portrait, in Sister Sarah's life.
Sisters Lucy Ann, Marlene, Beth Saner and Mary Kathryn Fogarty were ministers
of the profession. Sister Sarah gave her responses in a steady and deliberate
voice, without the aid of any written text.
Before the liturgy, she recounted how she had arrived late the night before
because of inclement weather and said she got little sleep. On her vow day she
addressed her fatigue and jitters by going into the Adoration Chapel to pray.
She said she told herself in the chapel, "This is a celebration of God
and my family. I can do this."
Sister Sarah continued to celebrate for the next two days, enjoying her friends
and relatives before they departed for distant points. She said that all of
them were deeply touched by the open and warm welcome extended to them by the
FSPA.
Several weeks after the celebration she summed up the experience this way, "It
was so overwhelming, powerful and beautiful." She recalls that the morning
after her vow day she was struck by the thought that she has never felt that
way before in her life and acknowledged that the experience was totally different
from anything she had ever done. She explained, "By publicly saying I belong
to God, I came to belong to this community of women."
Now that she is back at her home in south Minneapolis, Sister Sarah is considering
her ministry options. She hopes to eventually work in pastoral care, either
in a parish or community-based setting, and would like to be engaged with Spanish
speaking, elderly or family groups. She notes that the process of becoming a
member is also about community living and says she looks forward to "all
the blessing and challenges" that come with community life.