How does one honor the memory of a woman who lived one day short of 94 years, 75 of which were lived in religious life? It is a tall order!

Many of you here at the Mount may remember Sister Fidelis as a slight woman who moved here from Mariandale in 1995 and - in her determination to remember the layout of her new residence - traveled the hallways and rode the elevator incessantly. She might have helped you with your packages and/or your laundry. Others might remember her in Siena Hall a year or two later pacing the corridor - somewhat agitated. The last years you would see her sitting quietly in her room embracing a rag doll. This was the sunset of her life.

But, there was another time...

Our brother, John describes it well in his gospel...

When you were young, you fastened your belt and went about as you pleased. But when you got older, you stretched out your hands and another tied them fast and carried you off against your will... John 21:18.

Helen Irene Morris was born on May 7, 1912 in Providence, R.I. and grew up in Roxbury, Massachusetts. She entered the DSSP in 1931 at the age of 19 when religious life was a calling to regularity and predictability. She brought with her to this new life a willing heart and a strong pair of hands. Little did Helen realize what her God had in store for her.

After a rigorous Novitiate, Helen, now known as Sister Fidelis, professed her vows and almost immediately began her ministry of visiting the needy sick in their homes. This ministry required a great faith and a good pair of hands. Sister Fidelis served the poor in Bronx, New York; Detroit, Michigan; Denver, Colorado; as well as Columbus, Dayton and Springfield, Ohio. It was in these diverse cities among different cultures that she experienced her God in the poor entrusted to her care. It was with these needy people that Sister Fidelis felt"at home". Throughout her life the poor were her passion and she used her strong, sturdy hands to minister to them.

If anyone had the opportunity of really knowing S. Fidelis you might have been the recipient of one of her food or back massages. Her strong hands were a hallmark of her life and she graciously used these hands to touch all life with reverence and gratitude.

In 1968 Sister Fidelis came to Ossining to work with the infirm Sisters and remained there for over twenty-five years. In addition to her ministry with the infirm, she did home nursing, assisted with the auxiliary, worked in the promotion department of the congregation and assisted in a nearby well baby clinic. She was an energetic driver and was willing and able to taxi any Sister to any destination. She prided herself on the energy she brought to the task as hand.

While at Mariandale she became involved in a shop opened by the congregation under the direction of Sister Mary Ellen Elder to assist the poor of Appalachia. It was clear to our Sisters who ministered among these people that their crafts were authentic and marketable. The problem was the lack of purchasing power due to the poverty of the region. The shop, housed in the basement of Mariandale provided the opportunity to purchase fine quality crafts at a fair price.

Sister Fidelis began her ministry to the people of Appalachia in a very small way. She opened boxes of goods for Mary Ellen, priced them and put them on the shelves. Soon after she was opening the shop, organizing the merchandise and ordering crafts. As the ministry grew she traveled from place to place in a van and sold the crafts at fairs and churches. Her love for the people of Appalachia blossomed as she communicated with them via mail and phone. She became an ambassador of good will for the poor she never met. God used her strong hands to again give loving service.

Several years ago, Neil Diamond wrote a song entitled, "Sweet Caroline". The lyrics include two lines that epitomize for me Sister Fidelis' life of service. Most of you are familiar with the song. The lines go...hands, touching hands, reaching out, touching you, touching me...Sister Fidelis was given a gift that she used every day of her life. She reached out and was unafraid of touching you and me because her God gave her the assurance that what she did was holy and what she did was in God's name.

The past ten years of Sister Fidelis' life have not been easy. She was no longer capable of ...putting on her own belt or walking where she liked. Others had to do this for her...and others..had to take her...many times...to places she did not wish to go.

But today Sister Fidelis sees those ten years in a different light - the light of eternity. And so she has a message for each of you...

For the times you used strong hands totouch and care for her, she thanks you.
For the times you reached out and laughed with her, she is grateful.
For the times you visited her room and prayed with her, she blesses you.
For the times you sat with her when she was unable to communicate, she was comforted.

Her message comes from the heart because now she sees and understands in a new way - the way of eternal peace - in the hands of her faithful God.

May she continue to reach out and touch you and me.

Sister Veronica MIller, OP
May 9, 2006

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