“It’s not what you do but how you do it, it’s not what you see, but how you see, it’s not what you say, what you know or achieve but it’s the presence, the presence you are.”

The words of this song by Jan Novotka came to my mind as I reflected on the idea of presence.  

As I have been trying to work from home and practice social distancing, I realize what a people person l am. It’s the presence of others I miss.

As I think about this, I realize that I have many opportunities to reach out and enjoy their presence without leaving my home. Thanks to technology, I am able to reach out to my “dear neighbor” while still keeping my distance by making a phone call, sending an email or a text message, attending a prayer group on ZOOM, or using FaceTime. I hate to admit it, but this technology is really great!

And I can always resort to the good old practice of writing a note or sending a card.

As we continue to live this “new normal”, it is really important to find ways of reaching out to the dear neighbor and making our presence and the SSJ Mission Possible.

by Sister Ann Marie Cappello, SSJ

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