Roots and Branches: Reflections from Sister Mary

As the season turns and the summer has given way to the fall, I am reminded once again of a profound truth: The only thing that life promises us is that everything will change –our relationships; our personal circumstances as well as the bigger world around us; even our perspectives and understandings.

But we are not powerless through these changes. In fact,it is quite the opposite: The more empowered we are,the more we can take a concrete and creative role in the changes happening, so that our situation and even our own lives are positively transformed.

Over the past 25 years, the community of Project HOME has witnessed much change – in our city, in the broader society, in the people who have come and gone, in the nonprofit field.

But it has not just been passive change that we have simply watched. All of you have witnessed and actively participated in the transformation of lives, of neighborhoods, and even of our social fabric. Many of you have performed countless acts of kindness and generosity which have opened doors for people to not only come in off the streets but to have a home. You have offered your professional and relational skills of healing and wellness. You have assisted adults in getting their GEDs and their college diplomas. You have offered the unemployed a chance to work and gain experience through internships. You have taught children to read and write and help build hope and opportunities for thousands. Through these experiences, relationships,and partnerships, we are all different. We are stronger both as persons and as a community.

There is a reason we have chosen Transformation as one of the core themes of this very special anniversary year. In addressing homelessness, neighborhoods are being rebuilt. Through research and understanding, we are finding ways to prevent homelessness through reaching out more to our youth and caring for those who are aging. We have made so much progress that we can envision that day when all will have a place to call home. 

We invite you to continue to be a part of this transformation. Rooted in an unshakable commitment to human dignity and in an empowered community, we can and will work to help midwife a lasting transformation toward social and economic justice.