It was a beautiful, sunny winter’s day on February 24, when Sr. Martha Park, Congregational Treasurer, celebrated her Silver Jubilee at the Generalate in Rome. It was an occasion made meaningful by Sr. Martha’s renewal of her religious vows in the presence of Sr. Joan Marie Lopez, Congregational Leader, and her team, together with other sisters and partners-in-mission. Fr. Jesus Rodriguez, SJ, was the celebrant.

Her response to the call of religious life, to make a difference in the world, has been marked by countless acts of love, compassion, zeal, and prayer. She has faced challenges as she journeys along the way, but she considers them moments of blessing and opportunities for growth. Sr. Martha’s words below reflect her simplicity, her total commitment, and her deep love of God.

“I am so grateful to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, for planting the seed of my vocation and for being with me all these years. I am also grateful to the sisters who laughed, cried (sometimes), danced with me, and prayed with and for me. It is because of you that I am still a religious. When I look back at my religious life, which is not long, I can say that I have been cheerful, joyful, and happy.

Twenty-nine years ago, I was so happy to get to know the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in Korea and was so grateful when they invited me to follow Jesus with them. Four years later, I had my first profession and became a member of a community. Since then, community and community life have been my greatest strength. Of course, community life was not always happy, but the challenges that came with community living have been moments of growth for us.

There have been many challenges along the way, and of course, there still are, but the reason I was able to overcome them without giving up was because I had Jesus always beside me. Also, I was able to hold the hands of the sisters who were with me, walking with me. I want to always live my life with the sisters in community, professing daily my love to the Lord with all my heart so that when He asks, ‘Do you really love me?’ my response will always be ‘Yes Lord, I really love you’.”