|
Sister Shirley enjoying a cup of tea on the patio.
This picture was taken in the autumn of 2004
Sister Shirley served meals for the sisters in our Health Care for 45 years.
This photo was taken during our summer community retreat in June, 2004.
Sister Shirley always loved taking care of the birds!
Having lunch on the shores of Lake Erie was always a great pleasure for
Sister Shirley. July, 1997
Sister Shirley
|
Sister Shirley
was born in Lisbon, Ohio on December 6, 1929, the daughter of Enos and
Stella Bowles Getz.
She entered the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown on February 10, 1952, and
professed her final vows on August 19, 1957.
For 45 years of her 52 years in religious life, Sister Shirley ministered in
the Health Care Center of the Ursuline Sisters providing meals for her
infirm sisters on a daily basis. This service began at the sisters’ Rayen
Avenue Convent. She has served faithfully at the present Health Care Center
of the Ursuline Motherhouse in Canfield since it opened in December, 1963.
In addition to the ministry to her sisters in the community, Sister Shirley
ministered to the larger creation. She fed the birds everyday and, beginning
each spring, she cultivated, planted and tended a garden at the Motherhouse
sharing the harvest with her sisters.When the disciples of
Jesus returned to report all that they had done and taught, Jesus had
planned to take them to a desert place to rest. The needy crowds
followed them - sheep without a shepherd, and he had compassion for them.
He began to teach them and as, the day went on, was aware of their need to
be feed - not by word alone, but also by bread. That is when Jesus
gave them the command: "You give them something to eat."
Thus, we have in our tradition, the miracle of the loaves and fish being
multiplied - the miracle of self-gift in the service of bread.
Self-gift in the service of bread is the image we have of
our Sister Shirley Getz in her dedicated service to her Ursuline Sisters.
In the years she fed the infirm sisters of our community, she touched the
hearts and lives of our Health Care nurses, aides and teen ministers.
Sister Shirley has been called by her Master to that place where she can
rest forever, delighting in the perfection of God's creation and being fed
by her Master's love. May she now rest in peace.
Sister Darla Vogelsang, OSU |
|
