Sending sisters to Austria

By Sister Carolyn Sur

Jean Greenwald, SSND

Helen Plum, SSND

Multiple references in the Gospel of Matthew show that prayer can be powerful. Matthew 7: 7-11 assures us that we will not be given a snake or a stone but a fish and bread if we ask, and if we believe. “Ask, and you shall receive” is a norm that those faithful to Scripture expect.

During a meeting in Rome, Sister Mary Anne Owens listened to the stories of Christine and Michael Schneider-Heintz who worked in Austria with immigrant and refugee children. She was asked to send two sisters to Austria to help with this ministry. Last year, Sisters Elise Silvestri and Jean Greenwald spent several months teaching the students. When Sister Mary Anne received the request again, Sister Jean Greenwald volunteered to go again, and Sister Helen Plum agreed, as well.

The sisters will travel to Eggenburg, Austria, each bringing their own gifts. Sister Jean, having previously served there, will extend her elementary school teaching experience to younger children who know no English. Due to the instability of war, the speculation is that some of Sister Jean’s students may never have attended school. They have had little stability over the years, and some have lost both parents.

Sister Helen spoke German as a child in her home in Milwaukee, and has been bi-lingual for decades, serving as a translator at meetings, which delighted Christine and Michael. Our Foundress, Blessed Theresa, might have had a hand in these coincidences.

The two sisters worked with a professional who assists missionaries in cultural issues. After prayer and contemplation, Sisters Helen and Jean decided to commit to one to two years. They simplified possessions, moved out of their respective rooms, attended appreciation lunches, packed and prayed.

In Isaiah 61: 1-2, we read, “The spirit of the Lord Yahweh has been given to [you]. He has sent you to bring good news to the poor.”

The challenge and adventure of the missionary are essential to an international faith community. We celebrated Sister Jean’s youth and willingness and Sister Helen’s experience and mastery of German, and prayed them off to Austria with our traditional SSND Blessing Prayer with extended hands and expanded hearts.