Jubilarian celebrates 25 years of religious life, walk down the aisle
by Sister Donna Snyder

I am truly grateful for the gift of life I have been given to celebrate this day. Since my accident on Sept. 2, 2004, it has been my dream and goal to walk down the aisle on my 25th jubilee. A week before that day I realized I wouldn’t be able to walk alone—not an easy thing for me to accept—so Sister Karen Hophan assisted me. As I walked down the aisle I felt a sense of joy knowing it is a miracle that I am even alive and present for this jubilee celebration. The day was very emotional and wonderful for me as well as for my family, friends and community as I walked for the first time since my accident. As my physical therapist said, “You may not be walking the way you wanted but you did walk.”

The theme I chose for my jubilee liturgical celebration was based on the passage in Jeremiah 18: 1-6, of the potter who shaped and reshaped the broken vessel of clay into something new. The vessel of my body and my spirit had been broken and the Potter God continues to shape and reshape me into the person God wants me to be. I have learned what it means to let go and let God come and to nourish the gifts God has given me. I have felt and continue to feel God’s presence within and all around me. God has blessed me with so much and in more ways than words can say.

I am filled with so much gratitude to everyone—my parents, family, community and friends—who have been and are a source of strength and guidance to me on my journey of faith.

Thank you to each and everyone for your love, prayers, support and encouragement these 25 years that have helped me all along the way and, in particular, since my accident five years ago. I extend a very special thank you to Karen Hophan who has been a wonderful support and friend, and who has been a living witness of what it means to be and to live community. Without Karen, I would not be where I am today.

Thank you to my FSPA community for allowing me to continue therapy so that I can, one day, reach my goal of walking on my own. I am grateful to community for all that I have been given, especially the opportunity to complete the Spiritual Direction Preparation Program shortly after the accident. This was a most powerful experience for me—one that I will treasure forever.

Today I know more deeply the truth that life is a gift; I am so grateful to God for giving me a second chance. It is God who gives me the determination and strength to keep moving forward even when life is difficult. This is truly God at work in all of us—we just may not realize the strength we have until life gives us the choice to keep moving forward even when it is the most difficult thing to do. I feel so very blessed and grateful for the gift of life; for all that has been, all that is and all that is yet to be.

Perhaps this quote, which holds meaning for me, will also speak to you: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

As we keep moving forward may we all continue to open our eyes, ears and heart to know and to follow where God is leading each of us. Thank you for being a part of my life!