Being present to our benefactors is one of the hundreds of ways in which Medical Mission Sisters around the world try to be a healing presence to those in need today.

Many of our generous and loyal donors in the U.S. would like to meet a Medical Mission Sister, but have never had an opportunity to do so. Sister Kathryn Gates gives them that chance. In her visits with our partners in mission throughout the U.S., she has been able to form lasting relationships and wonderful memories.

Sister Kathryn contacts our donors to ask if they would like her to visit. When she gets a positive response, she phones them and sets up a time. "The initial visit is a 'get to know you' kind of thing," she explains. "They ask about my story, and about the missions … and I really enjoy hearing their stories. It's a two-way street."

People who have met or spoken with Sister Kathryn often contact her if they have something personal to share. "They will phone or write if something happens in their family," she explains. "They know they'll get a personal letter back. I'll put their intentions in our prayer book … they really appreciate it."

Being active in this ministry for 10 years has created some wonderful memories for Sister Kathryn. "There was an older man I visited, taking care of his wife at home," she recalls. "He wrote when she died. So then I called him a few times, and I went back to see him, to see how he was doing … his children did not live nearby. He seemed so happy to see me."

"I feel that I now have a much better grasp of the people who are supporting Medical Mission Sisters and our mission. I see real faces when I pray for our benefactors."

home     
e-mail mmsorg@medicalmissionsisters.org