Jayne Pickett - CMC Missioner
One day one of our students at Mother Cabrini High School, Taisha, came to school sobbing. She shared that her cousin, Oscar, had just been told he had only two weeks to live. He had battled leukemia from a young age, but now there was nothing more the doctors could do. Taisha came to us seeking consolation and comfort. She shared Oscar’s story with Sr. Sharon Casey, MSC, the Campus Minister. Taisha wanted to see Oscar, but was fearful since she had not seen him in a while. Sr. Sharon offered to accompany her to pray with the family and hopefully calm some of her fears. Upon hearing the story, I said to Sr. Sharon, “I would not have thought of offering myself to Taisha because I wouldn’t know what to say or how to pray with her and the family.” Sr. Sharon suggested I come along, and I agreed that this experience would be growth-filled for me. I asked Taisha for permission to come and she was grateful to have me along.
On the day of the visit, Sr. Sharon and I met with Taisha at a local diner to hear more about Oscar and his family. We hoped this would better prepare us for what God was asking of us. At the hospital, Oscar’s mother greeted us with a tear-stained face, along with his grandparents and many aunts and uncles. As we expected, the mood was somber. We scrubbed our hands and masked our faces to avoid giving germs to Oscar. Approaching Oscar’s bed, I was shocked by the frailness of this 15-year-old boy, and the heaviness of the breathing, that seemed to take every ounce of his energy. I had never witnessed someone so young struggling desperately to hang onto life. Twelve of us, Sr. Sharon, Taisha, Oscar’s family and I, gathered around Oscar’s bed. We held hands and Sr. Sharon led us in prayer. We repeated mantras, some in English, some in Spanish. Finally, Sr. Sharon began to sing, “Breath in my love for you, exhale all fear.” Her voice filled the room with the sweetness of God’s peace and love. With each breath, it appeared as though Oscar was truly exhaling his fears. His breathing calmed and stillness settled into Oscar’s body. A hush filled the room and I knew God’s love was permeating each heart. I found myself in awe, my senses alive with something only of God, His presence palpable. Sr. Sharon finished singing and quietly, we each continued to pray for Oscar. Finally, one by one, we left Oscar’s room, leaving hope and peace with him.
Sr. Sharon and I traveled home in silence that evening. Both of us were pondering our experience. I believe there are two moments in life when we experience God in a most profound way--when a mother gives birth, and when we say good-bye to someone we love, forever. I was amazed that this young woman, Taisha, had invited us into such a private, intimate space with her family. It was an honor that she felt connected to us in Campus Ministry, as if we were part of her family, and that she trusted us to calm her fears and be instruments of God’s grace. This was a realization of everything we strive for in our ministry. While cherishing these thoughts and fighting to hold onto this moment, I heard the voice of my heart speak, “Your life will never be the same.” In that moment, my mind flooded with memories of my past three years of service. It is true. These experiences have touched my heart and soul such that I will never see the world as I did before. Through my experiences, God has transformed me into a new woman. Transformation is the gift of risking going on mission. Thank you, Cabrini Mission Corps, Mother Cabrini High School, and all those in the Cabrini family who have journeyed with me and played a role in my transformation.
by Jayne Pickett
