For ten years Sister Sheila Browne has served as President of the Sisters of Mercy Auburn Regional Community. On July 1, 2008, when the Auburn Regional Community became incorporated with five other Mercy regions to become the West Midwest Community, Sister Sheila, along with all local leadership members, transitioned into the new vision and structure of this wider Mercy community. As I recently reflected back on my own nearly nine years as director, participating in the local life, spirit and excitement of the Auburn community, I sat in awe of the accomplishments and contributions made by the Sisters. What I could not quite wrap my mind around was “How did this all happen … and without seemingly the slightest inconvenience or fanfare?” What could I do but go to the source and simply find out? I am grateful for Sister Sheila’s time and consideration in responding to my pondering.

I asked Sister Sheila if she might recall the Auburn campus when contractors’ trailers lined the front property, when construction workers seemed to outnumber residents, and when the grounds were covered with more dirt than grass. I wondered if the now beautiful landscape and buildings were the picture of her vision:

I must admit that I underestimated the extent of the impact of the renovation on the entire campus. On paper, it seemed like the project was quite contained —- a couple of new buildings, a parking lot and some interior remodeling. I somehow had not anticipated or imagined how disruptive it would be to replace all the pipelines, electrical, water, and more. As the project developed I was very concerned about the sacred space being invaded. The impact of the noise, mud and dust was a force with which to be reckoned. The mantra that kept me going and that I constantly repeated to staff was: “It is going to be worth it all. Things will get better!!” The staff at Mercy Center was exceptional in integrating what was going on around the campus with the programs that were being offered. The outer noise was used as a symbol for the need to quiet the inner noise. In fact, it is more of a challenge to shut out the inner noise and clutter.

When I see the sculpture of Mary Baptist Russell that now captivates our attention upon entering the Auburn campus I see figures that signify untold sacrifice and commitment of the Mercy Sisters for 150 years in our area. I asked Sister Sheila if she might share her own association with the women of strength and courage represented by the sculpture:

The sculpture speaks very strongly to me of the passionate and courageous response to need; of the determination to always move forward; of the light that Mercy needs to be today in a world so desperately in need of healing, presence and compassion. The portrayal of Mary Baptist Russell with the works of Mercy at her feet is a powerful symbol of the fact that Mercy always responds to need. Mary Baptist left family and homeland and traveled thousands of miles because of a conviction that the Sisters of Mercy could help heal those who were broken, lost, forsaken, hopeless, sick and uneducated in those early California Gold Rush Days. Yes, she believed that WHERE THERE IS NEED THERE IS MERCY.

And now as the Sisters of Auburn enter into a new way of being in community, I asked Sister Sheila if she could say something to the hundreds of extended friends and guests who know well the ministry of the Retreat Center and other Mercy ministries, but who would like to know what religious life is like, and what it is to become, in this contemporary and ever-changing world and Church:

The Sisters of Mercy continue to respond to need today. One of the hope for benefits about our new West MidWest Community is that we will “re-imagine” how we can more authentically live religious life. We have more questions than answers but we believe that in living with the questions that the answers will emerge. In a world where those who are rich seem to get richer and those who are poor get poorer we would like to believe that we can be counter cultural and challenge each other to share life and resources so that there is enough for all. We continue to attract women who want to be part of our life in Mercy and we are blessed that we have had new members join us along the way. Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister has said: “Prophetic individuals have brought religious life as far as they can. Now we have need for prophetic congregations.” It is my hope that the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas will be a “prophetic congregation;” that we are a community of believers united in heart and soul; that we witness to life, hope and joy and that others will say of us as was said of the early Christian community: “See how they love one another.” Nothing is impossible if we say “Yes” in faith as Mary did. She did not allow her fear to paralyze her. In saying “Yes” the Word became flesh in her. Our challenge today is to continue to create the Word in our world for today and for tomorrow. As the poet Rilke says: “It is not the answers that show us the way but the questions.” I pray that we have the courage to live the questions.

Thank you Sister Sheila