By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

Last Sunday before Mass I read a blog written by Sr. Susan Rose Francois, CSJP, called Mingling.

The last paragraph has stuck with me: “The future will be what God knows it can be, but also because of who we are and where we have been and how we are able to mix and mingle and navigate the twists and turns together… Our stories are mingling as we write the next chapter in this intergenerational tale of love, service, and faith. And that my friends is cause for celebration and praise to the God who calls us together.”

As we sang our opening hymn (Gather Us In by Marty Haugen), this line suddenly had greater meaning for me: “We are the young – our lives are a myst’ry, we are the old – who yearn for your face, We have been sung throughout all of hist’ry to be light to the whole human race.”

When the elders in my community entered in the 1940’s, they were not allowed to speak with their elders without permission.

How blessed we “youngsters” are that that rule has changed!

We are able to share our thoughts and experiences freely, enriching each others’ lives … no matter what the age group.

Together, we live into a future of promise and hope … one that is infused with the wisdom of the elders and the energy of the young members.

We live into a future of change, perhaps as dramatic as the pioneering Sisters of the 19th Century, perhaps as radical as Vatican II.

Our combined wisdom and energy will mingle to help create our life for today and tomorrow.

Each day we take another step into that unknown.

Together.