The conversations at the 27th annual Women's Retreat on beauty and the warmth of the community inspired Mary Waetjen to write this poem, which we share here.
Beauty is reflected in every face
of the women who have come
together. Each one has a story,
a life that contains joy and
sorrow, great happiness, but also deep
grief. Our God who created us
is present in every moment of
our lives. We are never alone
but are held in arms of
Love, to give us courage, strength,
stability, even in the dark when
the light seems far away. Yet
we have heard Jesus’ words. “I
am the light of the world.”
We claim that for ourselves, becoming
for others the light that reflects
the beauty, the love of the
Divine. “Behold, I am with you
always. I have called you. You
are mine.” We are co-creators with
God, using our gifts, our lives,
to bring beauty into our world
with compassion, generosity, care and all
the love that we can give.
Mary Waetjen - 4/30/2022