On behalf of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, I extend our condolences to the family and friends of Sr. Mary Benedict. We know you are feeling the pain of separation….and we are certainly keeping you in our prayers.

The first reading from Ecclesiastes is a gentle reminder of “time.” Time is a precious gift in our life that we sometimes take for granted. That reading also reminds us that everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses.

Have you ever gone on to read the rest of Ecclesiastes message on time – allow me to share with you verses 11 and 12:

“God has set the right time for everything. “…..and so I realized that all we can do is be happy and be the best we can while we are still alive.”

God’s time for Mary Benedict to go home was this past Monday. I think she was ready….although, I don’t think she knew it would be that day, that time. But I do know that Mary Benedict did the best she could do while she was still alive.

I shared community life with Mary Benedict in St. Cecelia’s Convent in Iselin, New Jersey. I had just been assigned there as the superior. Sister was already living there. Her ministry – or job – was called a “Domestic Sister.” That meant that Mary Benedict had the responsibilities of doing the necessary chores of the house to keep it in an orderly fashion for the sisters living there. She performed her duties faithfully and conscientiously.

In fact, I remember one time telling her how much we appreciated the nice work she did and her response was that her mother always told her to be clean and neat.

She listened well to her mother.

There were 15 of us in that community. All of us, except Mary Benedict, were teaching in the school. Naturally, at the dinner table, most of the conversation was around the school day, and the sharing of stories that happened with the children. It was at this time…..that both the Sister who was principal of the school, Sr. John Elizabeth and myself, noticed that Mary Benedict was feeling left out of the conversation. So, we decided on what we could do.

Also, at this time….. in the school, we had an area that was the center in the Diocese of Trenton for the education of children with learning disabilities. One of the teachers from the school was the director. Her name was Imelda.

Imelda’s class had about 20 students, ranging in age from 6-22. It was an excellent program. Sr. John Elizabeth met with Imelda and asked if she could use the help of Sr. Mary Benedict. Imelda said she would be so glad to have help because the little ones needed help in opening milk cartons, following directions, etc. Needless to say, when we shared this news with Mary Benedict she was so thrilled. I don’t think I have ever seen such a broad smile and tears of happiness at the same time! From then on, at dinner, we also heard how her day had gone and what stories enjoyed sharing.

Amazing, isn’t it? It was at that time….God had set the right time and Mary Benedict realized a new kind of happiness.

One of the beatitudes reads: “Happy are those who greatest desire is to do what God requires ; God will satisfy them fully.” (Gospel of Matthew)

Sr. Mary Benedict took her prayer life seriously. She always said her prayers, praying the rosary for so many intentions. All you had to do was to ask her to remember a special intention for you, or just say, “please pray for me” and her reply would be: “I do pray for you everyday.” And you knew this was true.

I return to the quote from Ecclesiastes: “God has set the right time for everything….and so I realized that all we can do is be happy and be the best we can while we are still alive.”

Sr. Mary Benedict had challenges in living her life….but she lived her life doing the best she could in the time that was hers.

This is our challenge, also.

Maryann Ronneburger, OP