SISTER STORY

ALL THE BUZZ

Sister Lyn Szymkiewicz, CSJ | Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden

 From the intricate workings of a honey bee colony to partnerships with local farmers, Sister Lyn Szymkiewicz finds God in all creation.

“Whether it is the Sister we live with, the person in the check-out line or some part of creation that has been entrusted to our care, I trust that God will work through my simple attempts to reveal his presence there,” she says.

Sister Lyn, director of grounds and eco-projects for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden, Pa., works with farmers, school children and community groups to foster environmental education, conservation and sustainability on the Motherhouse grounds and throughout Western Pennsylvania. She maintains the Congregational apiary and garden, makes honey and soap and shares produce with local food banks.

Over the past 25 years, Sister Lyn has held one particular aspect of the Congregation’s Directional Statement close to her heart: “Be attuned to how all of creation lives and moves and has its being in God.”

Sister Lyn coordinates the Earth Tones Ministry, which brings together Sisters who share an interest in enhancing relations between nature and God and educating others about those connections. She is presently coordinating a Building Sustainable Communities Project with seven congregations of women religious and local farmers and distributors.

“I have been surprised by how God uses the ordinary circumstances of my life to reveal his presence to others. I pray in gratitude for the companions on my journey,” she adds.

With degrees in health and physical education, theology and earth literacy, Sister Lyn previously served as director of religious education at St. Bernard Parish in Indiana, Pa., director of formation ministries for the Sisters of St. Joseph and part-time librarian at Mount Gallitzin Academy.