Seeing
Sr. Cindy Sullivan’s picture on the cover page of the North Country Catholic
with the words above it “Farewell Sr. Cindy” slowed me down to ponder the gift
she has been to the Diocese of Ogdensburg.
Sr.
Cindy has visited every classroom in the Catholic Schools and many parish
religious education programs.
She
always arrived enthusiastically, bringing videos and photos showing the unique landscape
and mission assistance her community provided to Quito, Ecuador, including a
center to hold classes to learn sewing, cooking, barbering, hairdressing and
other life skills to earn money so families can earn money. She would ask the students to pray for these
families and other families across Asia, Africa, Peru, Pacific Islands, Middle
East, and Latin America that would be supported by their fundraising.
Sr.
Cindy was well prepared and equipped with answers to the students’ questions and
they enjoyed watching and listening to learn how they could help children
around the world like them.
Likewise,
Sister moved adult hearts about mission life in Ecuador. Each summer she shared her missionary experiences
in parishes as part of the missionary coop program, a summer appeal for
missionaries to raise money to support their ministry back home.
Each
year when Sr. Cindy spoke about how she had been in training to be a professional
golfer, everyone sat up and listened eagerly to learn how she went from golfer
to missionary. What a delight it was to
see hands in pockets and purses waiting for the collection basket after her
talk- showing her gratitude for sharing her mission story.
From
the bottom of our hearts, I would like to thank Sister Cindy for her service to
the missions. Her joy in her chosen
vocation has always brought students, teachers, parents, and all of us
happiness. Thinking of her in the future
will bring smiles to our faces and prayers to our lips and we wish her
well.
