Dear Neighbor Magazine

Much has dramatically unfolded in our world since we began preparing for the Summer 2020 edition of the Dear Neighbor. Through the lens of racism, we had planned to share a retrospective of our history in honor of our 150th anniversary, and a focus on our Chapter goals to educate, engage and work with our dear neighbors to dismantle structures of privilege. 

Who could predict how these messages would take on renewed meaning and a sense of urgency – not only for us, but for our black sisters and brothers?

In these pages, you can read how, like our foremothers, Sisters living inside and outside of the Motherhouse are raising our collective voices against racial and social injustice, and how we are networking with diverse communities of color and faith to advance our mission to serve God and neighbor without distinction.

You might find a helpful resource on how to be “actively anti-racist” from Sister Kari Pohl, our Justice and Peace Coordinator, on Page 14. Or, read about the impact of Sister Mary Louise Wessell’s ministries in health care and, homelessness, and ethics as well as her influence on two pandemic plans on Page 20. You might also learn, as Sister Sall Witt did just a few years ago, about a shameful moment in our Congregation’s history when we denied a black woman entrance into our community. Read her reflection on Page 16.

Indeed, history reveals both pain and promise. Our “real-time” history is shining a brighter light on longstanding systemic racism as multiple generations from diverse cultures try to piece together the past and present and work together toward a path of healing, unity and reconciliation. 

This is what brings us Hope. While the pandemic isolates and racism divides, we believe the convergence of these two monumental moments in history allows each of us to come together in the unifying love of God. In this moment, we can discover (perhaps anew) that the deepest desire of our hearts is to love God and neighbor, without distinction.