Mask ministry

St. Joseph’s Provincial House in Latham, home of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, has been closed to visitors with all Masses, events and activities canceled during the coronavirus.

Nothing, however, keeps the sisters from ministry! During the week of March 22, several sisters made protective masks for sisters, neighbors, and members of their maintenance and housekeeping staff to wear during their necessary trips to the grocery store, pharmacy and post office. The large community room became a mask-making center with sewing machines and tables arranged according to social-distancing suggestions of at least six feet apart.

While the homemade masks are no substitute for the high-grade N95 masks, the sisters’ masks are triple-layered, tripled-stitched, pleated washable cotton with sturdy elastic straps that give extra protection for everyday errands.

As life continues in “lockdown,” sisters at the Provincial House are also busy keeping in touch with family members, friends and other “isolated” seniors by telephone, email, videoconferencing and snail mail, assuring them of thoughts and prayers during these trying times.

And for these dedicated and creative senior sisters, their lives in community and their years in ministry clearly reflect the call in their congregation’s constitution: “With the strength that comes from our life together, we turn beyond ourselves to serve a world in need.”