Reflections from Bolivia
Remembering the life and death of Sister Mary Mahoney, OP
By Fr. John Swing
January 22, 2009
One of the major influences in the development and growth of our
Santa Cruz parish is the work and spirit of the
Sinsinawa Dominican
Sisters. It is only by coincidence that the coming of the La Crosse
diocesan delegation to Santa Cruz coincided with the 25th
anniversary of the death of Sister Mary Mahoney and three others.
I
went to Cochabamba to the site of the accident. A shrine has been
erected in their name. A bridge has now been built over the gully
which they were trying to cross when the accident happened. The
place looks so harmless, the crossing so small, just 30 feet. There
was hardly any water in the ravine as I stood next to it
contemplating my own mortality.
But, that evening, 25 years ago, they proceeded in the rain, in the
darkness. The water was powerful enough to carry the four to their
death.
Sister
Mary Mahoney was a young, vivacious, tenacious woman. I didn’t know
her well because she worked in Cochabamba and I was in Santa Cruz,
but we were connected because some of her fellow sisters worked in
our parish in Santa Cruz. I consider them a major influence in my
life and in the life of the Santa Cruz parish.
I walked up and down the side of the ravine, back over to the shrine
that has been built their names, shaking my head, praying, and, I
admit, shedding some tears.
One
of the Dominican Sisters came with me, Sister Rosemary Huddleston.
The taxi driver who brought us out to the site was taken in by it
all and stood here with his hat in his hand, engrossed in prayer.
Most of the surviving members of the pastoral team in Cochabamba had
gathered in observance of the anniversary. I had the wonderful
pleasure to come back to town and share a meal with them.
Who
can begin to measure what they have done? How can we describe them
other than to say, wow, there is greatness here. They have weathered
coup d‘tats, monsoon rains, almost impassable roads. They have
nurtured, taught, and brought hope in an intimate way to so many who
would otherwise experience the desolation and powerlessness of
poverty. Talk about the good news of salvation to those who live in
darkness. But they would be the first to say that it has been they
who have been filled with light and joy.
What was a tragedy 25 years ago now becomes a victory symbolizing
the total giving of the Madres Dominicanas from Sinsinawa,
Wisconsin. Our association with them is a blessing from God, an
inspiration. I am sure that they will be a source of inspiration for
other women in our diocese to hear and respond to this dynamic call.
They came from Milwaukee, Sinsinawa, Ohio, Florida and Southern
Bolivia and from Cochabamba itself. I was privileged to be there
with these courageous and confident women coming together with hugs
and kisses and laughter, with solemn purpose, to celebrate the lives
of those who died.
Any woman who is looking for her place in this world, wondering how
to make a difference, has got to get to know the women of Sinsinawa.
I have a large picture of Sister Mary Mahoney in the sacristy at
Sacred Heart in Nekoosa, along with a picture of Fr. Ray Herman,
from the diocese of Dubuque, who was murdered in Bolivia over 30
years ago.
The church is built on the blood of martyrs. I consider both of
these friends of mine as martyrs. They gave their all and now
inspire us to give our all to the cause of Christ and His Church. I
have a deeper faith because of these people.
They also taught me how to work as a parish team. I have been
powerfully reminded by this pilgrimage to the place of Sister Mary
Mahoney´s death. When she was killed, I had returned to Wisconsin
two years before. Her body was brought back to Sinsinawa. I was
there at the cemetery on the hill at Sinsinawa and remember the
moment when they lowered her body into the earth just as the sun was
setting
May God bless you, Sister Mary Mahoney, and all your fellow sisters,
and thank you.