July 6, 2024
Last week, a great tree was felled at the edge of our Motherhouse lawn. Having stood for decades near the Guardian Angel, it had shaded many generations on their way to Mercy: students, staff, visitors, and the Sisters themselves on their many ins and outs to this common home.
The whole community which gathers here daily felt a pang at the hewing, knowing that we had shared the very breath of this tree for so long. Its leafy embrace offered us a place to cool in the present, a way to remember the beauty of the past, and a security about the future. Seeing it disassembled by necessity gave a bittersweet pain. But there was a peace in knowing that our tree had come to completion with honor and dignity.
We drew so much from the presence of that tree, but perhaps we can draw even more from its absence. The lines of Gregory Norbet’s hymn “Hosea” come to mind:
Trees do bend, though straight and tall.
So must we to others’ call
Long have I waited for your coming home to me,
And living deeply our new life.
Our tree, even in its retreat, still speaks to us – a truth becoming profoundly evident these days as we mourn the passing of our sister and friend Marie Ann Ellmer. She stood straight and tall among us, but another call came precipitously in the early morning last week.
When a beloved dies, one with whom we drew the same breath and hope, part of us dies. Whether a great tree or a magnanimous soul, they take something with them of the life we shared. When we mourn them, it is that which is taken that we pine for. But as we fold their lives under Love’s eternal blanket, it is that which they have left us that gives joyful peace.
That glorious tree and dear Marie Ann seem to be one now in the solemn aura that follows death. Both, in rare beauty, brought others to the precious gift of Mercy. Both remain treasured in its Everlasting Power. And both have given back to Creation the blessed graces that made them shine among us.
Lavish Mercy 
Sending sincerest sympathy in the passing of Sister Marie Ann Elmer. May the songs of the Angels welcome her Home. She shared her gift of music with so many- thank you for all your blessings Sister Marie Ann. Pie Jesu.🙏🏻♥️
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I’m sorry to hear of Sr. Marie Ann Elmer’s passing. She played beautifully at the the retreats at Wernersville. We have received much joy from Sr. Marie Ann. Thank you Sr. Marie Ann for giving your all. Enjoy your new life in Jesus’ embrace.
Kris
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Amen❤️
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I’m so sorry to hear of the death of your friend, Sister Marie. She added so much to the liturgies. I am also sorry to hear about the tree. I always took its beauty and shade for granted. Thanks for the reminder from the song, “Hosea”. ❤️🙏
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Prayers for Sr. Marie Ann. 🙏🏻
As for the felled tree, its form has changed, having been cut into logs or ground into wood chips. But it continues to contribute to Life:
In the form of logs, it will warm a family’s home while they burn that wood in their fireplace.
In the form of wood chips, it will serve as mulch for someone’s garden, then eventually decay and thus add nutrients to the surrounding soil.
Sister Marie Ann continues to live in the memories of those who knew her. And perhaps she is continuing to pray for her fellow sisters and family as she awaits entrance to the heavenly kingdom.
As with all life, it does not end; it changes.
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Thank you, Dee. Beautiful thoughts ❤️🙏
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Will include Sr. Marie Ann in my Masses this week, Sister.
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Thank you so much, Fr. Nick!
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Welcome, Sister.
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This picture of Marie Ann was taken at the Kimmel, the Anniversary of the Sisters of Mercy. She asked me to accompany her “up” to the organ to take her picture. We literally climbed up to a VERY tight area…took it! I have the original…no cell picture, camera did it! Prayers for her dear sister & family and dear friend Marie Michele! No words…just thoughts & prayers…so, so sad! Can’t imagine the music in Heaven with Marie Ann … still shocked to hear this news.
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It is unbearably sat, Kathy. We are all reeling!
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