Funeral Homily ~ September 28, 2007 ~ Sr Lorena Bolte OP, Prioress
As many of the family members shared last night, you are saying good-bye to a generation. Sister Veronica is the last of her immediate family. This is a significant passing for the family. We know that family was very important to Sister Veronica, and the letter read last night by Loretta Kuhlman, written by Sister Veronica, told of her gratitude for her nieces and nephews and a prayer for each of them.
As I began to think about what to share in this homily, I kept in mind that Sister Veronica planned her funeral meticulously. Even this past Friday she met with Sister Ann and her niece Loretta to make changes and add more details. The planning and teaching side of Sister Veronica was always with her. So I began to look at the readings she chose for this Mass as a lesson plan. I'm sure she had made many lesson plans over the years and planning her funeral would be similar. What was her objective, what lessons/learnings did she want to convey?
The first reading from the Song of Songs 2:8 - 14, 16 speaks of being pursued by one's lover, a way of explaining her own call from Jesus, her lover, many years ago. This call led her on many journeys.
The second reading from Ecclesiastes 3:1 - 15 speaks of there being a time for everything under the sun. I'm sure she has found this valuable wisdom to keep in mind each day. I thought it was interesting that her niece Clare, wrote a reflection in the car while driving here based on this reading from Ecclesiastes. Clare had no idea Sister had chosen this as one of her readings. There must be something in the genes! I share with you a few of Clare's reflections: "A time to remember Sister Veronica for her compassion, service to community and love for all. A time to follow her example in life. A time to acknowledge all that Sister did for all those thousands of students over the years. A time to imagine Sister Veronica in heaven enjoying her eternal reward that God has prepared for her in His heavenly kingdom."
Sister Veronica knew there was a time for dying and she knew it was imminent. She took many opportunities this past weekend to say farewell to individual sisters and ask for forgiveness.
In the Gospel reading from John 14:1 - 6, Jesus says He is the way, the truth and the life. All paths point to Jesus. No one comes to the Father except through Jesus. This was a lesson I'm sure Sister Veronica taught many times in the classroom, a lesson she wants us all to continue to remember each day.
Sister Veronica had a great love for life, but she knew this life was not an end in itself. She was a strong woman. Some would say a gutsy, spunky woman. How many 94-year-olds do you know that would get on a camel and ride it at 94 years of age? I'm sure she is the only sister that will have a picture of herself riding a camel in her coffin. She was not afraid to say what she felt and meant. When one ministry ended she was ready to train for anther one. She loved cooking and eating out.
She was very a self sufficient woman. Her failing eyesight pained her, but his weakness allowed others to enter into her life and gave others the opportunity to do for her, to read to her. I know she would often check out spiritual cassettes to listen to and was always grateful to know when new ones arrived in the library. Dominican values of study were important to her.
In this lesson plan, Sister Veronica did not have to make up a test for us to see if we could answer all the questions presented by the Scripture readings. God will love us into the answers if we are faithful to the lessons taught by Scripture. Death is a time to remember what life is all about.
Jesus tells us in the Gospel he is going to prepare a place for us. Heaven has many mansions. Sister Veronica spent a lifetime teaching others about heaven. Now she has first hand knowledge. The Gospel begins with the message, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. …I am preparing a place for you."
Thank you for the years of service to the Dominican Family, to the Church and to our Community. May you rest in eternal peace!
