The "other" Mary wrote this, (along with another fab post on "The Gallery"):
<< I don't think that a "very liberal Catholic high school" is an oxymoron at
all! In fact, it describes mine perfectly. And the sisters who ran that
school, which closed several years after my class graduated, are still some
of the strongest women I've ever known. They've been willing to take
personal risks for living their convictions, especially about social justice
in American society. >>
It also describes the attitude of the Bedford PA order of the Sacred Heart of
Jesus nuns. My great aunts were ordained into that group, with one of them
going on to become the Mother Superior.
At the height of Mother Beata's career, (which must have been in 1940-1960),
she was absolutely intolerant of nuns who fit in that stereotypic vein of
ruler wielding, knuckle smashing, forceful approach to making you learn or
killing you trying that gave Catholic schools such a bad name.
Even in her retirement, (as well with all of the nuns at the nun retirement
villa), she was forward thinking and embraced the true meaning of God. (which
in my opinion, (thanks pat), is one of redemption). At a time when I was
falling out of the church because priests in the confessional were so
negative about my situation, (unwed and pregnant), Mother Beata was a staunch
supporter for me to find my way without hair clothes or condemning.
Mother Beata and the other sisters of the SHJ were one reason why a favorite
childhood game was "playing nun," and why, to this day, I harbor a
"hmm...maybe someday" day dream of joining an order with vows of service.
I loved the way that Mary described it as "Catholic Compassionate." I have
big issues with the flip side of "Catholic Intolerance," but the it's the
compassionate, social justice facet that keeps me describing myself as
Catholic even though I'm one of those who have fallen by the wayside.
Once again, a really nice post.
MG
np: Taylor's Ham sizzling in the kitchen
