Our MSBT Life Transitions Committee recently sponsored a gathering of sisters for what we call “community days”. These day-long gatherings give sisters the opportunity to explore, reflect and discuss a particular topic or theme as a community. On this occasion the theme was on Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, OMI “Aging Gracefully, Living Fruitfully”. Together they watched a video presentation by Fr. Rolheiser and were then able to share insights and reflections with one another.
Sr. Theresa Ahern, MSBT summarized the day with these words, “In the video he described three major phases of growth and discipleship in each person’s life. Early on the challenge is to define and identify your life. Then, during the generative years, you seek to offer your life in service to others- to “give your life away”. And, later in life, Rolheiser suggests that our task is to “give our death away”. He asks us to consider our own aging and death as a final gift to our loved ones. Reflecting on how we age and die gracefully and fruitfully. The sharing among us took on a serious consideration of our own deaths and how to prepare for the final stage of life – life eternal. In spite of the potential darkness of the theme, there was laughter and joy among us! May we rest in peace!”
To learn more or to purchase Fr. Rolheiser’s video
“Aging Gracefully, Living Fruitfully” CLICK HERE.
