Easter letter of the Congregational Leadership team

Jesus said to her, ‘Woman why are you weeping?”
Jesus said, “Mary…
Do not cling to me, but
go to the others and tell them…”
John. 20:15-17

Dear Sisters,
Alleluia! Jesus is Risen, Alleluia! Let us rejoice and be glad!
Our reflection this Easter is taken from St. John’s account of Jesus’ meeting with Mary after the resurrection. Because of her deep personal relationship with Jesus, Mary was able to recognize him when he called her by her name. This encounter led her to be open to the mission: to announce the good news of hope and new life.
This gospel story embodies the mystical and prophetical dimensions of our vocation. Like Mary, we are called to be life-bearers with those weeping outside their “empty tombs”.
Earlier this year, among the monthly reflections sent to us within the context of our Journey of Enrichment with the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity, we prayed and reflected on our Baptism. St. John Eudes speaks at length on the commitment of God towards us in this sacrament of Christian initiation, so often received during the Paschal Vigil. In this sacrament, Jesus calls us by our name for the first time and through our godparents we respond, as Mary did, “Rabboni”. As we grow “in age and grace”, do we continue to hear his call? Can we recognize his voice? In what moments and circumstances do we hear his call and respond, as Mary did, to “go and tell” the message that Christ lives?

We see that our world is still weighed down by conflict, injustice, violence, and the financial crisis. Yet, we are in solidarity with our sisters and lay partners who are at the margins, in difficult situations, as they work zealously to confront unjust systems by “going and telling” and bringing hope. St. Mary Euphrasia gives us guidance on how to do this - she says:
“…be shepherds in the midst of your flocks.”

As we reflect on the fact that the Good Shepherd knows each sheep by name – ours and those of the people whose lives we touch – let us express our Easter gratitude to God.
With our love, good wishes and prayers, and united in an Easter Alleluia,

The Congregational Leadership Team
Sisters of our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd