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Left to right: Jean McKinney, CSJ (Boston MA), Leilla Sullivan, SSJ (Springfield MA), Bethany Welch, CSSJ (Philadelphia PA), Erin McDonald, The Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph, AZ Wang, Just Root Program Coordinator, Clare Bass (Carondelet, St. Louis, MO), Julia Erdlen, The Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph
Tending the Flame:
Building Communities of Support
Jean McKinney, CSJ
This was the summer of connections. After just getting back from the Federation 375th celebration in Kansas City, two weeks later, I was back in the air heading to Chicago for the national gathering of Tending the Flame (aka CSSJ Federation Sisters 10 years perpetually profess of less). This year the gathering took place at The Well Spirituality Center in La Grange, IL.
During these yearly gatherings, as we share prayer, meals, and ideas, we are building and strengthening bonds for our future together. One of the ways we strengthen our relationships is going out and volunteering.
As the environment is key to all our hearts, this year we went out and got our hands dirty at the St. James Community Farm in Chicago south side. This ½ acre farm is built on the site where St James Church once stood. Just Roots (Just Roots Chicago | Cultivating Community ), in partnership with St James Church, built the farm in 2020 and provides fresh organic food to those in the neighborhood. When we arrived at the farm, the program coordinator — A.Z. Wang — gave a tour of the farm, explained the history of the place, and then put us to work. I found our task, tending to the green pepper plants, interesting — we had to go to each plant and make sure they had enough support to stay off the ground and not fall over. It occurred to me that this is what we are doing for each other: supporting each other and helping each other grow stronger.
We are committed to being there for each other, even though we are apart. We gather together via zoom for prayer and occasionally remote happy hour. We are building a database of our ministries so we can offer help or seek out expertise. For example, earlier this year I reached out to find out how other communities are handling their transportation request. It is refreshing to be with this group exchanging energy and hope. The future is now. Tending the Flame will keep the flame burning bright.