An Open Letter to Sister Mary Ann Walsh
Dear Sister Mary Ann,
As friends, former co-workers and distant admirers, we want you to know that you are in our hearts and prayers.
The grace, wisdom and humor you are demonstrating in the face of cancer truly inspires. During interviews and through elegant, candid writing you courageously invite us to experience an intimate part of your pilgrim journey toward the Kingdom of God. We are deeply grateful for this blessing. Please know that we think about life, illness, friendship and community in more profound ways because of your witness.
Over the years, you have touched so many lives by your service to the Church and our Catholic community. As a journalist, spokesperson for the U.S. bishops’ conference and now the first woman religious on America’s editorial staff, you have charted a distinguished career. Most importantly, we appreciate who you are: a loyal friend, a quick wit, a Sister of Mercy who puts the Gospel at the center of her life. Thank you for making us proud to be Catholic.
In the words of the Irish blessing:
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind always be at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
and rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza
Former President
U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops
Bishop William Skylstad
Former President
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Francis X. Doyle
Former Associate General Secretary
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Frank Monahan
Former Director, Office of Government Relations
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Timothy Collins
Former Executive Director
Catholic Campaign for Human Development
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Dolores R. Leckey
Former Director of Family, Laity, Women and Youth
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Senior Fellow Emerita, Woodstock Theological Center
Rev. Drew Christiansen, S.J.
Distinguished Professor of Ethics and Global Development
Georgetown University
Ronaldo Cruz
Former Executive Director, Secretariat for Hispanic Affairs
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
John L. Carr
Director
Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life
Georgetown University
Joan Rosenhauer
Former Associate Director for Education and Outreach
Justice Peace and Human Development
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Kathy A. Saile
Former Director, Office of Domestic Social Development
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Sister Carol Keehan, DC
President and CEO
Catholic Health Association
Sister Anne Curtis, RSM
Justice Team
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
Sister Joan Marie Steadman, CSC
Executive Director
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Sister Ann Sholz, SSND
Associate Director for Social Mission
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
John Gehring
Catholic Program Director
Faith in Public Life
Stephen Schneck
Director
Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies
The Catholic University of America
Karen Clifton
Executive Director
Catholic Mobilizing Network
Rev. Charles Currie, S.J.
Executive Director
Jesuit Commons
Rev. Timothy P. Kesicki
President
Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States
Alexia Kelley
President
FADICA
Dan Misleh
Executive Director
Catholic Climate Covenant
Rev. Michael J. Sheeran, S.J.
President
Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities
Michael Galligan-Stierle
President
Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
Thom Shellabarger
Public Policy Associate
Interfaith Worker Justice
Eric LeCompte
Executive Director
Jubilee USA Network
Steve Callahan
Former Economic Development Program Coordinator
Catholic Campaign for Human Development
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Thomas Allio Jr.
Former Diocesan Social Action Director
Diocese of Cleveland
Walter Grazier
Former Policy Advisor
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
International Religious Freedom and Human Rights
Sister Simone Campbell, SSS
Executive Director
NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Kerry Robinson
Executive Director
National Leadership Roundtable on Church Management
Judy Coode
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Rev. Thomas Reese, S.J.
Senior Analyst
National Catholic Reporter
Michael Sean Winters
Columnist
National Catholic Reporter
Patrick Carolan
Executive Director
Franciscan Action Network
Sister Patricia Chappell
Executive Director
Pax Christi USA, SNDdeN
Frank Butler
President Emeritus
FADICA
Marie Dennis
Co-President
Pax Christi International
Thomas Quigley
Former Policy Advisor, Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
