Humble Servant: Sister Anne Boyer

Written on: September 16, 2013

Sr. Anne Boyer

Every week, our Sister Anne Boyer (Sister Mary Mark):

• Reaches out to the stranger, teaching English to immigrants
• Celebrates a communion service for residents of a retirement home
• Brings the Blessed Sacrament to the infirm and the homebound
• Comforts the dying and the families of the dying and the dead
• Drives our sisters to their medical appointments
• Does pharmacy runs to pick up our sisters’ medications
• Assists our sister sacristan with Motherhouse chapel duties

At age 83, Sister Anne is the ultimate multitasker, traveling yet another path on her ministry journey as a Grey Nun of the Sacred Heart. Over the years, she has successfully served as an educator, an assistant dean, an administrator, an organizer, a parish minister and a hospital chaplain. She has worn many hats, in service to many people.

Today, in retirement at the Motherhouse, Sister Anne is still doing many things, in service to many people. Though the most meaningful thing she does, she says, is to be fully and quietly present to those to whom she ministers: the elderly, the sick, the grieving, the fearful, the aspiring American.

     “I feel so blessed,” Sister Anne says. “I know I receive more from the people I meet than they do from me. I can’t solve their problems but I can listen when they need to talk and hopefully that gives them some peace of mind. I don’t have an agenda. I pray before I go out and then I just try to be present in the moment and to be aware of God’s presence.”

Even as Grey Nuns age and retire from paid ministries, we continue to serve, in our own way, to the best of our abilities. Our mission remains the same,  “to be signs of God’s unconditional love as we collaborate to create a more just and compassionate world.”

We live our mission in keeping with who we are today, addressing the needs of those who need our prayers, our service and our advocacy. To do this, we need you, your prayers and your  support more than ever!

Will you help us to live and spread the Gospel message and continue the legacy of Saint Marguerite d’Youville? Will you join us in sharing this legacy, by becoming a GNSH Associate, by your financial support, or by joining your heart to ours as a member of the Congregation? Our website has information should any of these paths appeal to your heart www.GreyNun.org

We are deeply grateful for the support of your prayers. May God bless you abundantly!

This entry was posted in From our Sisters and tagged: advocacy, driver, GNSH, GNSH Associate, mission, Prayer, Sacristan, service, Sisters