Beloved friends of The Sophia Center,

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news with you of Sr. Lois Barton’s passing yesterday following complications from a swimming accident on Cape Cod last week.

We are stunned, saddened, and yet at the same time filled with abundant gratitude that she was a part of our lives. Lois embodied the shining spirit of the Sophia Center, using her wisdom as a beacon to guide so many to contemplative meditation and opening her empathetic heart to welcome all faith communities to join in the programs she directed. Teaching was a vocation that she shared enthusiastically with students from high school to wisdom school.

Your prayers for Lois’ family, her Sisters of St. Joseph community—especially Sr. Liz, Sr. Paula and Sr. Susan with whom she resided, and her coworkers are appreciated deeply at this time.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dilis. ~ May her sweet soul be at God’s right hand.

We invite you to revisit this blog when you sense a need for direction or inspiration. In the left-hand column is a search box. Type in a word relating to the theme of your search and posts containing that word will appear. In this moment of grief, the final words Lois typed here seem almost prescient. We hope they bring you comfort.

This morning I read a quote of Martin Luther King, Jr. that fits the moment. He said simply, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” May the good that can come from our letting-go sustain us and bring about generosity and spiritual growth beyond the pain of the loss.

—August 15, 2021 – Sr. Lois Barton, CSJ