Sister Elizabeth Marie Lynch, CSJ

Sister Elizabeth Marie Lynch was a Sister of Saint Joseph for nearly sixty years. We are all here because we have a relationship with Elizabeth, family, friends, sisters, associates and so many who knew her as teacher, principal and most significantly during her thirty years in Holy Name of Mary Parish in Valley Stream. Just as our founding sisters were sisters of the neighborhood, going out to the people and bearing God’s unconditional love to them, Elizabeth related to the people of Valley Stream through multiple generations.
In a world where exclusion, domination, violence and competition destroy human relationships, Elizabeth lived the mission of our congregation to bring all into union with God and one another. She knew her loving God deep in her own being and that enabled her to be a compassionate and joyful presence to others. Elizabeth companioned many on their life’s journey. As Sisters of St. Joseph we strive to live the mission of Jesus to heal, redeem and liberate all people and to reverence all creation. Elizabeth was faithful to our mission and ever present to families and especially school children. Life’s journey has many challenges, with a share of joys and sorrows. Elizabeth could always see that God’s unconditional love permeated it all and helped others recognize it when it might be difficult to perceive.
God’s power and presence are active in our evolving universe. Elizabeth’s relationship with each of us will not be broken because she believed what we will hear in our first reading from Paul in today’s liturgy: Neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any creature can separate us from the love of God.

Elizabeth lived her life with that confidence and in her name we are called to do the same. Elizabeth is now at Peace in the hands of her loving God.

Sister Elizabeth Marie Lynch, CSJ died on September 29, 2014 in the 60th year of religious life.