A Personal Epiphany: Missionaries of Charity Sisters

by Tom Dempsey

The first time I entered the Mission of Charities home for women who are neurologically impaired in 2015, my only thought was, “I have entered into hell.” The smell, the screaming and the surroundings gave me a feeling of dread. Once inside the room, seeing the contorted bodies and misshapen heads, the erratic movements and the random utterances rather than speech only intensified my emotion. Despite this initial response I forced myself to participate in feeding, touching, praying with and singing to these “unfortunate souls.”

That night, I made a sarcastic yet heartfelt question, “what kind of God would allow this fate for these women?” The immediate response from Fr. David Guffey was, “the same God who inspires the Missionaries of Charity sisters to care for these women on a daily basis.” That was my personal epiphany. That experience which tested my faith and somehow allowed it to go to a place it had never really been.

My visit to the home in 2017 has been such a different experience. I had been haunted for two years thinking about these women, and yet I was irresistibly drawn to return and be with them again. I was able to look past the disabilities of mind and body of these poor souls. Yes—souls. These women are all God’s special creatures and it was my job to attempt to reach their souls. With the approach, they are all beautiful, lovable and cherished.

My initial revulsion was gone. I was able to see and feel responses to my words, touches, smiles. I had spent so much thought of their external condition, that I failed to see the presence of God in each one of them—their souls being in God’s image and likeness. I had failed to see the opportunity I had been given to do something for God’s creatures. In essence, to be doing it for God.




I was given a second chance by this trip and I hope I was successful in some way. I know that these women will have a special place in heaven and maybe one or more of them will remember to pray for a sinner who was once blind, but who through the grace of God can see.

Comments

  1. SantaMonica PeteJune 11, 2017 at 1:32 PM

    Thanks for sharing your experience with us, Tom. It's quite a moving experience on every level. Feeding those who can not eat on their own is a very intimate human experience, one to treasure. Fr David's response works for me.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Getting to Know Each Other

Image
Jambo and Karibu! It’s Monday night here in Nairobi, and almost all of our travelers have arrived. Like the animals of Noah’s ark, we have been coming in pairs and small groups rather than all at once. KLM, Turkish, Ethiopian and Austrian Airlines have transported 11 of us 9600 miles to the Eastern Coast of Africa. This morning, we enjoyed our first outing together as one big group: provisions at the Nakumatt —Kenya’s grocery store. What better way to acclimate and adjust to the environment, the culture and the currency than to be among locals shopping for each of our daily needs. Then, on to the Nairobi National Museum for lunch and an interactive tour of Kenya’s rich heritage. Kenya lays a claim to the oldest human remains going back 7 million years. Led by student guides, we learned a survey of Kenya’s history, from its early Arabian and European presence just after the time of Christ, through British colonization and its independence in 1962. Oh, and we happened to coerce ...
Read more

Our Parish Community Offers A Blessing

Image
Msgr. Torgerson leads the assembly in blessing the 2017 travelers to Holy Cross Parish in Dandora, Nairobi, Kenya. We bless you, O God, and praise your name. In your merciful love you sent your son into the world to enrich us with the gift of the Holy Spirit. Before he returned triumphant over death, You, Father, commissioned your son and his apostles, to be bearers of His love and His power, to proclaim the Gospel of life to all people by the waters of baptism that cleanse us. Lord, look kindly on the community of St. Monica and the community of Holy Cross and our Sister Parish in Dandora. Over the last 15 years, you have blessed our friendship, built our relationships and have changed the face of both communities. Guide the steps of our new pilgrims to Dandora this year. With your powerful hand and with your grace, strengthen us in spirit, so that we will not falter but continue to grow strong in your grace and favor. Help our words echo Christ...
Read more