Maryknoll, NY

When I was invited to visit Sr. Norie at her "home" in NY I really had no idea what I was in for.  She had described the place she worked and lived to be something of a "center" for the community.  It IS a mammoth center and includes  business offices, housing for working and retired sisters, chapel, cafeteria, library,  and, and, and.. Across the road is the men's center and I believe it is their seminary.  The MaryKnolls have their own city of "MaryKnoll", New York. I had no idea.  I'm staying in a very quaint room with Asian decorations.  It is wonderful.  All over the halls of the massive 1930's buildings I've seen artwork from literally all over the world. Today they had a Bazaar with items for sale from many regions of the world. I feeling very much a sense of home here.

I knew that MaryKnoll was one of the first American Catholic community's to send missionaries.  Afterall, Sr. Norie was a missionary in S.Korea.  I just never realized that all of the sisters of Maryknoll are missionaries.  Being here I'm getting the bigger picture of their global community. Everyone I've met has lived years in Asia, South America or Africa.  I've met 5-6 women who served in Korea at different times.  For me that is an extra special treat.  They know the Korean context.  They know the transition of returning home from Korea.  I've heard in their stories of serving in Korea and transitioning back to the USA a voice of affirmation spoken into my own service and transition.  I consider this time with these MaryKnoll sisters pure gift.  This week is already a week I could never have planned.  God is somehow at work beyond me. I came here to visit a friend but I'm sensing this trip will be so much more than that.   

I sat in a large room tonight watching a large flat screen TV.  Last Holiday was the Friday night movie.  I couldn't help but think to myself, "How do I get myself into these scenarios?"  "I'm in a room full of Sisters!"