Moving forward as we remember the past

By Sr. Mona Kelly, O.L.M.
Summer 2001

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Sr. Mona Kelly is given a beaded bracelet by one of the young people she ministers to in Brazil.

Fifty years of memories. When I think of the past 50 years as an Our Lady’s Missionary, my first feeling is how privileged I have been to have shared life with so many people of different cultures—people in Africa, Brazil, Northern Manitoba, and the inner city of Toronto.

I am grateful for Diana, with two teenage sons, one severely handicapped, the other on drugs; for Rosa, both daughters working as prostitutes; for Fatima, abandoned mother with six children, struggling to keep them in school; for Maria, a grandmother, begging food every day to feed her two grandchildren and send them to school; for João Paulo, Francisco, Paulo, Edwardo, trying to stay off drugs; and so many others.

Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

I read recently in the January 28, 2001, Catholic New Times, an article by Jajudeen Abdul-Raheem, General Secretary of the Pan-African Movement, entitled “Impact of Angels”. This thought-provoking article reminds me of how important it is to respect the culture of the people with whom we live and work, the people who have so few choices in trying to survive.

The Canadian people, the school children of Brampton and other schools, people from various countries who have been supportive for years with their prayers and financial help, are changing the future for Diana, whose son João Paulo wants to enter a de-tox centre. Rosa’s youngest daughter, Gerilane has returned to school and is living at home. Francisco, Paulo, Edwardo and four more teenagers are completing their secondary studies at night and during the day they are taking courses in computers, mechanics, refrigeration, and so on, all trying to change their lives. “...that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

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