"Deep in our hearts" we minister as people have died, as we did in the 1800's

A Dia de los muertos altar in the family home of Sr. Katty in Lima, Peru.  "Wawa"  a Quechua style bread made by her father.  

 In the middle of the 1800's when a tenth of the population of San Antonio had died, the first Incarnate Word Sisters began to minister consoling people, helping to heal wounded hearts and bodies.  During the global pandemic for Dia de los muertos, 2020, we gathered to console each other.  Read about this in Global Sisters Report “May the Communion of Saints bring us comfort!” Global Sisters Report, February 21, 2021, https://www.globalsistersreport.org/news/coronavirus/column/may-communion-saints-bring-us-comfort   Listen to students in Mexico City speak of their experiences building relationships in the Incarnate Word family in three countries and four institutions. “Incarnate Word Cross Cultural Contact and Compassion” https://youtu.be/izdLWuYxne8

In the city of San Antonio, we continue the ministry of consolation at "Deep in Our Hearts." 

Seated:  Mayor Ron Nirenberg,  Judge Nelson Wolf, Councilwoman Adriana Garcia Rocha

Deep in our hearts are the 3,500 people who have died since the outbreak of the pandemic in San Antonio.  All are invited to visit the memorial at E. Market and S. Alamo St. and to remember.  Relatives are invited to write the names of a loved one who died on a heart and to attach a laminated pictured if they wish.   https://www.sacrd.org/DeepInOurHearts/

Sister Martha Ann Kirk, who is active in the “City of Compassion” movement and education and Councilwoman Adriana Garcia Rocha

UIW double alumni Council Woman Adriana Garcia Rocha poignantly spoke remembering the seven members of her family and the two members of her church family who have died of COVID.  She noted the vulnerable populations of San Antonio and how important it is that all think of ourselves as one family in our city uniting for equity as we go into the future.  She brought the best skills of a UIW Communications Art major to touch the hearts and minds of Mayor Ron Nirenberg, Judge Nelson Wolf, and the crowd of citizens, many of whom had lost family members and friends.  Former Incarnate Word Justice and Peace graduate student and organizer of the event Rev. Ann Helmke began reminding us that we stand on land belonging to native peoples. The beat of a native drum  calls  us to listen to our heart beat, our hurting hearts, as we grieve those lost.  

Mayor Nirenberg spoke of youth and the future.  As the memorial opens our hearts, may this lead us to encouraging the young and creating hope.  

Learn more of seeking to promote compassion during the pandemic, "Tears Are Washing Our Eyes that we may see." https://kirk-39798.medium.com/tears-are-washing-our-eyes-that-we-may-see-teaching-in-san-antonio-tx-a-city-of-compassion-f1ccf1f19890