Last week I was singing in church as I often am. Each time, I am blessed with the love and acceptance of the people. But last week, I was priveleged to sing with the children's choir during one particular mass. The children's voices brought so much joy to my heart and I loved hearing their heartfelt songs with the exhuberance only children can expresss. After mass, this young girl approached me. She told me she loved my music, bless her little heart. She said I was her favorite singer in the whole world and that she wanted to be just like me. You can't ask for better than that. It warmed my heart in ways I hadn't even thought of. This precious child reminded me of my own journey singing from when I was a very young child. I was lucky. My father was a music teacher so I was brought up in a musical family. I think I learned how to read music before I could read words. My dad was my greatest influence in music. But along the way there were people who inspired me and promoted me and I often think of these people. Since embarking on my musical journey through liturgical song and cantor, I have often thought of a woman who was probably my second greatest influence. Sister Elizabeth Murray, or Sister Beth as we all knew her was that woman. You know, I grew up with the Sound of Music, and I think that even as a young girl, Sister Beth sort of embodied my image of Maria the young novice from the movie. Sister Beth didn't leave the convent to ultimately marry and raise a family, but she was a young nun, who played guitar and had a voice like an angel. I remembered I wanted to be just like her. I have thought of her many times through out my years as a cantor and more so recently, especially since that little girl reminded me of the ones who influenced and encouraged me. I never had Sister Beth as a teacher, but she recognized something in me I guess, because the summer I was 12, she offered to teach me guitar for free. I remember strapping my guitar to my back and riding my bike to the convent every morning. I practiced guitar night and day and by the fall, Sister Beth put me in her folk group. I got to sing and play guitar and it was a thrill I hadn't dreamed of. Sister Beth became my friend, too. I would go to her and talk to her during recess or after school. I really admired her. When I was in 8th grade, Sister Beth organized this fun night. All the eigth graders were to go Christmas Caroling and she had us bring flashlights. Sister Beth had cut squares of cellophane in red and green and we rubber banded them around our flashlights. I remember it was freezing cold, but we were having the best time caroling through the neighborhood on the Sunday night before Christmas. We raised money that night and I recall that we donated that for children in the hospital during Christmas time. That was an early lesson in charity and good will and Sister Beth was responsible for that. After caroling, we all went back to the convent and the sisters had made cookies and had hot chocolate waiting for us. I remember that was such a fun night. Later, when I was a senior in high school, we were released every Friday to perform service in the community. It was called the Senior Service project. We got to select projects and I wanted to assist Sister Beth in teaching her first grade class. I loved those days. I would get to be with her and the children and I learned so much from her...not just about music. I loved watching her teach the little ones. I thought she was such a kind hearted teacher and I thought how lucky those little kids were to have her as a teacher. After I graduated high school, I was involved in another folk group for teens and young adults and Sister Beth sang with us sometimes. Soon after that, though, Sister Beth was transferred to another school and we ultimately lost touch, but I have thought of her often and wondered where she was. In the last few years I have thought of her frequently and had wanted to find her to let her know that her influence had followed me into adulthood. I have sung in choirs and chorales and always remembered my early lessons in music with her. I directed a contemporary choir which was basically a bunch of grown ups playing guitar and singing for church and I was again reminded of her influence. I searched for her on websites for the Sisters of Saint Joseph but never found her. My sister, recently received her masters degree in theology and two of her mentors were Sisters of Saint Joseph. I was hoping they could help me locate Sister Beth so I could tell her what she meant to me and how her influence continues to this very day.

Post Script: I searched the website again for the Sisters of Saint Joseph yesterday, hoping for some news about my friend and mentor. Hoping I could find a way to make contact with her. Sadly, I learned that Sister Beth passed away last year. I have to say I felt like I was kicked in my stomach when I realized I was not going to be able to tell her what she meant to me. There was a song she taught me, from Psalm 23 and it was to the tune of The River is Wide or Waly Waly, and four years ago, I made a demo using that tune, but singing the words she taught me. I hope she smiles down on me from heaven and knows that she was so very much responsible for much of what I do today...for the confidence to get up in front of people and sing for God. And I hope to pass on her legacy now with the precious children that "want to be just like me" as I wanted to be just like her. I will never forget Sister Beth and I pray that all of you, who have someone who has inspired you, knows that they were responsible for influencing you. I hope you get a chance to tell that person. Let them know how much they meant to you and what has happened in your life as a result of their influence. Sister Beth sacrificed her summer mornings teaching me to play guitar. She continues to be an example for me to aspire to. I will never forget her. May She rest safely in the arms of my Lord!

I wish you all a Merry Christmas. During this time of year, take the time to remember those who made a difference and I hope you always try to make a difference where you can. Blessings all.