WITNESS TALK - Sue Kinney

Good Afternoon!

My name is Sue Kinney, the oldest of 6 children of Warren and Rosie Lovell. Married to Bob Kinney for almost 31 years, mother of three wonderful young adult children. Fr. Crowley has asked me to talk to you today about the Holy Spirit, and where I have encountered Him in my life.

In thinking about what I would say today, my two Grandmothers kept coming to mind, so I think I am supposed to talk about them. My Dad's family had a small farm on the east side of Brockton, and for several years we lived with my grandmother in the farmhouse, then built a house across the street, next to Dads brother, a real family neighborhood. My mother and the 6 of us kids were the only Catholics in the bunch, Yikes!! The Holy Spirit was often busy with us, especially my brothers, who always needed his help getting out of trouble with Gram and Aunt Jane!! My mothers family had a dairy farm in Brockton.

My grandmothers had a tremendous influence on me. They taught me how to knit, to bake banana bread, and how to grow everything from roses and tomatoes to St. Bernard dogs and farm animals. These two women, although very different really were wonderful witness to the Spirit. They were hard working women, caring for their families, their homes, and busy with their volunteer work.

Gram Lovell was actively involved in her church, First Parish Congregational . She was on many committees, was always baking and knitting for bazaars and fund raisers, visiting the shut ins and doing anything and everything her busy life allowed her to do. She loved to get out there and see people, she was a real presence of the Lord to them.
Nanna Zarrella was more of a stay at home kind of person. A devout Catholic, she prayed constantly, often the rosary. She taught me that prayer is a conversation between Jesus and myself. That he was always there to listen to me, to help me. She also taught me that sometimes His response might take a while. "All things in Gods time Susie"," she would say. She was a very patient woman. I try to be patient too-- its hard!!

She cared for her in-laws, my great grandparents, while they were elderly, and loved to spend time with young children.She actually took a job at Head Start late in her life. Her first and only " real job." She really loved that.
The Holy Spirit was present in these women- my grandmothers- I see it now, as an adult. They gave generously and freely of their time to others, always with love. They were witness to the power of Love, the power of forgiveness, the power of faith, the power of Jesus.

In the last years of their lives, both of my grandmothers were visited by members of their churches. How they enjoyed and looked forward to these visits!! I was so impressed by the impact these visits had on them, that I became a Minister of Care 10 years ago, just after my last grandmother died. For the past 10 years, I visited Sally McGrath, a wonderful 90 year old member of Sacred Heart. We got together about twice a month until this past February when Christ called her home. She was 100 years old. We had became good friends. We shared stories of our families, we shared the Gospel. I brought her the Eucharist. I got so much out of these visits. I hoe she did too.
I am also a member of the RCIA team. I don't really remember how I got started doing that, I think Mary Gallagher and Fr. Mahoney had something to do with it, but as I said, I really don't remember. This has been a wonderful experience for me. Adults that have decided to join our church have great faith stories to share with us. I get more than I give out of these sessions.

In closing, I would like to say that the Holy Spirit has put people in my life at times when I really needed them- too many people and too many times to name here this afternoon. In looking back though, I realize that they were sent to me when I was in need of a friend, a job, a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen. I try to be that friend, that shoulder and that ear to others. I have tried to follow in the footprints of faith left by my grandmothers. I hope to leave a few of my own for others to follow. Thank you.