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The Reality of Death
Sister Theresa Coulter, IHM
Nothing can ever really take the edge off of the reality of death. Life is, and then it is not. Theresa is with us, and then one Sunday night, she is no longer here the way we have always known and loved her.
There is a song in our IHM tradition that speaks of our sisters who have died as “dwelling now in light, yet ever near.” In times like this, I have to trust the wisdom of my community and of my faith tradition because my plain old human emotions are not all that jubilant. I rather liked Theresa dwelling here and now. I loved her gentle spirit, determination, and courage to speak the truth. I like the Communion of Saints that are here with me, that I can rub shoulders with, revel in God’s mystery with, and share the bond of sisterhood with.
At the same time, I am a woman fiercely of the resurrection. I believe, as we read in yesterday’s Gospel, that God indeed desires peace for us, courage in times of challenge, and trust that God has already conquered the world! (John 16:33) For me, that conquering business does not mean overpowering the world, crushing it; rather it means that in all things — even persecution, suffering, and death — God is with us and has the final word. What is that word? Well, I think about Theresa, and I think of one word. Love.
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This is an awesome tribute, SJ. Many prayers for Sr. Theresa, the IHMs, and yourself and Sister Max.
I’m very sorry for your loss. Rest in God’s love S. Theresa.
so glad you had this love in your life, julie.
may your sadness be turned to joy.
mad love, girlfriend.
I am so sorry for your loss. Holding the Monroe IHMs in prayer.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Sr. Julie and Sr. Max. We are people who believe in resurrection and the permanence of the bonds we forge in the communion of saints. But losing the “enfleshed” persons we love is inevitably very painful.
Love you!
marsha
Thank you so much for your prayers and support for the IHM Community.
Sorry to hear of the passing of your sister now dwelling in God’s light. Prayers are with you and the IHM community. One more in the company of Saints.
Sudden death is so very hard for us. The shock, the feeling of a hole in the heart, and, yes, the anger. You have to let yourself be human, to feel the whole range of emotions, and then, finally, acceptance and reconnection. Julie and Max, my heart goes out to you in your personal loss, and to your whole community. As my mother used to say, “Don’t feel bad for the one who has died. She has what she’s been striving for her whole life, and now you have another special person in heaven watching out for you.” God bless you all.
I’m so sorry for the pain of loss for you and your community Julie. Holding you all in prayer.
Dear Sister Julie,
I am Theresa’s sister-in-law, married to her brother David Coulter. At this time of pain for our whole family and the IHM community, I thank you for your kind words. You captured her so perfectly when you talked about her gentle spirit, determination, and courage to speak the truth. We will all remember her indeed with much Love as she continues the social activism of her IHM community from heaven.
Mary