Pace e Bene

On January 9, Franciscan peacemaker and Pace e Bene co-founder Sr. Rosemary Lynch died.  Louie penned this reflection on his long-time colleague from Lompoc prison.
 
January 17, 2011

As I am sure is true for many, I have been reflecting frequently on Rosemary since her infirmity, struggling with life and dying.  I wanted very much to attend the funeral as I was able to do fairly recently for our mutual "sister" Marilyn Ingram.  Although only about 30 miles away it was not to be.  Only one more sign of the de-humanizing of the Prison system.

Before Rosemary I knew her brother Oliver Lynch, O.F.M. for many years. I lived with him at St. Joseph's in L.A. and always admired his social conscience and practice, truly a mentor for me.  Coming to St. Elizabeth I appreciated his vision and ability to transform the Fruitvale area into a remarkable Hispanic Community, while attending to the traditional German and other Anglo residents. It remains such today.

After a number of years in ministry in Las Vegas with the practice of the Franciscan Commnity, Franciscan sisters Marlyn Ingram and Mary Litell were part of that community. We then heard of the availability of Rosemary and her associate in Social Justce Klaryta Antoschewska as they moved to the U.S.  We wooed them to join us in Las Vegas.  Ironically they outlasted all the rest of us in carrying on these ministries after the rest of us moved on.  Klaryta added an awesome ministry to immigrants from many lands and creating a new life for them through the sheer effort of her energy and compassion. Rose assisted her in this work, especially in her fluidity in languages and overflowing compassion and generosity. 

Rose turned out to be a transforming light in my own life. Both of us (as was Father Oliver) were much imbued with the Spirit of Vatican II. Rose brought with our Renewal her own familiarity with the international experiences both in Rome (Vatican Peace and Justice Office), and extensive outreach of the Franciscan sisters into the Missions of the Church. Through her incredible mind, exposure and dauntless presence in the world of the struggling and suffering she relentlessly communicated the concerns to thousands throughout the church and the world.  I was delighted to have her join us in our initial gestures and efforts, and to join here in carrying out this message to many seeking the Vatican II renewal in the spirit of JPII, and the giants of a new Solidarity.

I had enthusiastically welcomed Vatican II while in Theology Studies and the Pastoral Life of a "New Emerging Church, and also the emerging social movements, Anti-War and Anti-Violence, Civil Rights (today is Martin Luther King Day) and Cesar Chavez and the Farmworker Movement.  Rose brought us her worldwide and universal vision and experience, most enriching for me. She also, especially with Mary Litell, led me into the emerging Environmental Movement. No surprise to us that Francis was named “Patron of Ecology”--aware, of course, of the influence also of Clare...

This is just a brief speck of the ways she influenced and supported my life and ministry and the opportunities (sometimes accompanied by our Puppets Francesco and his Little Bird...)  as we went forth with the newly formed Pace e Bene Service in Nonviolence, of which she was an essential founding member.

We know Rosemary had many visionary ideas and enthusiasms to continue to share, but maybe she had to leave some work for us to continue.  Yes, Rose, your Vision, Compassion, Inspiration and endless energy will continue to animate us and the mission of Evangelization left us by Jesus and our forebears...We can never give sufficient thanks to God and you for all you have given us.  May you finally rest with the Angels en Paradisum.