"The
very best comes out in me in a teaching situation," she says, and
she is grateful to the Ursuline community for being able to carry the
message of Jesus to others through her teaching.
Sister
Lynn's teaching career has taken a number of turns. In what she calls
a "collision of events" - the times in the church and the
needs of the Ursuline community - she was sent to Catholic University
to study canon law. Her expertise in canon law has often placed her
in the Tribunal. Though commonly associated with marriage questions,
the Tribunal is a structure within the church to serve members who feel
their rights have been violated, something similar to a civil court.
For Sister Lynn, this is a work of justice.
As
a frequent consultant on significant issues affecting consecrated life,
such as the vows and government structure, Sister Lynn finds there is
no lack of energy around the "common life - what we share and what
we offer to one another. It is Jesus that pulls me to others. I recognize
myself as loved, and this is the invitation into life, to grow deeper
in my relationship with God and others."
Her
recent experiences working with religious congregations overseas have
added to her appreciation for religious life. "The spiritual depth
of these women and their willingness to share their life journeys through
many struggles of oppression and hardship are inspirations. These religious
have held on to something they deeply value." Sister Lynn fully
believes in the consecrated life, although it may not always look like
it did in the past. "The Ursulines came about because of problems
in the society of the times. It's exciting to think about creating a
new way to meet the needs of the times."
Teaching
now in the School of Theology in Berkeley, Cal., and St. Patrick's Theologate
in Menlo Park, Sister Lynn shares her passion for justice and commitment
to Christ's gospel. "Searching, being on the journey, not in desperation
but out of a longing to deepen our relationship with God, is where the
Holy Spirit works."
