Surrender, Gratitude, and Thanks!
Sr. Jean Says Good-bye to Trinidad
From left: Srs. Lystra Long, Jean Tranel, and Christine Walcott
From left: Maud-Marie Sisnette, Sr. Sabrina Paty, Sr. Gail Jagroop, Sr. Jean Tranel, Sr. Christina Araujo, Astral Bobb, and Sr. Martin Joseph
by Jean Tranel, OP
Six years ago when I said my “YES” to the assignment at the House of Discernment in Trinidad, my most-often-used prayer was “acceptance.” However, that word has changed over the years. Now my most-often-used prayer word is “surrender.” Surrender says more about how I have come to be here at the House of Discernment. Surrender for me means to give up my way of doing things; of seeing things; and of thinking of things, of places, and of people. To surrender control has given me such freedom, such richness, such an abundance of wonderful new and exciting ways of learning, of loving, and of being.
During these past six years, the word GRATITUDE has also very often been on my lips and in my heart. I am deeply grateful to God for the blessings of these years in Trinidad, to our past Prioress Toni Harris, OP, and her Council; our present Prioress Pat Mulcahey, OP, and her Council; all my Dominican Family; my personal family; friends; and my past parish families. You have graced us with your love, your trust in us, your support, wisdom, prayers, and the witness of each one of you. You have all had a part in making this process of discernment here in Trinidad life-giving, holy, rich, energizing, hopeful, and ongoing. THANK YOU!
With the words SURRENDER and GRATITUDE, I now want to give praise and thanks to the women in Trinidad who have made these words real for me. They have given life to the process of discernment, they have put flesh into Enactment 12 of Chapter 2000. Giftedness is what these women have been to and for me. In our life as women of Sinsinawa, we affirm the fact that formation is ongoing, it is a lifelong learning process in every way. This is what the women of Trinidad have been for me―teachers of holiness, of faith, of trust, of gospel living, and of love. THANK YOU!
I know that I will never forget the wonderful people of Trinidad and all they have done for me. Only a few, and then very briefly ever, find their Camelot, and this is what being at the House of Discernment has meant to me.
GRATITUDE! SURRENDER! THANKS!