by Sr Sylvia Obrig
Thirteen Sion Sisters are living in Saskatoon and all but one are living in care homes or seniors’ residences.
I drive a car and so by picking up Sr. Diane we visit three Sion sisters weekly at St. Joseph Sisters’ Ukrainian Care Home, shown in the photo above – left to right: Sisters Stephanie, Donna, Sylvia, Margie, Diane.
It is a very humbling and blessed weekly visitation
Since they have dementia, we hold hands and pray aloud one decade of the rosary. We truly sense that they are in tune with this prayer moment. It is a very humbling and blessed weekly visitation.
We pray for healing, truth and reconciliation and for the needs of our parish and our world
A second ministry of presence is my participation with Our Lady of Guadalupe First Nations (Indigenous) RC parish prayer group. We meet every Tuesday evening and pray the rosary and do Lectio Divina Gospel sharing. Thus, we pray for healing, truth and reconciliation and for the needs of our parish and our world.
A third ministry of presence is tutoring in English one newcomer refugee to Canada through the Global Gathering Place. Since I have been an EAL (English as Another Language) teacher for many years, volunteering with one person provides an opportunity for many levels of learning, affirmation and welcome to life in Saskatoon.
A fourth ministry of presence/volunteering is with four other teachers. I am teaching one group of 20 out of 100 children (7-8-year-olds) at St. Patrick’s RC parish as they prepare for First Confession and First Communion. Their parents are mainly newcomers from the Philippines, and so for eight lessons us five teachers help these children meet Jesus through the sacraments.
I am truly blessed to be part of a large community of retired sisters
A fifth ministry of presence which is part of my community life here in Saskatoon is joining regularly for prayer with my twelve Sion Sisters. We meet about every six weeks to celebrate birthdays and feast days, as well as being together when Sr. Mary Babic comes to town from Toronto. Celebrating together our Sion Sisters’ funerals at St. Patrick’s Parish is a frequent event here with us in Saskatoon. I am truly blessed to be part of a large community of retired sisters whose prayerful presence of support with one another allows us to share stories and God’s blessing.