My name is Sr. Brian Marie Latour. I am a member of the New York Regional Community, and I have been a sister for 47 years. Most of my life I have ministered in schools in the Diocese of Ogdensburg.

I was attracted to the Sisters of Mercy by the work of individual sisters. The sisters had been my grammar school teachers, and they also were responsible for TB Sanatoria in my home area of Saranac Lake, New York. I wanted to work with them because I observed their kindness toward others and especially to me. As a child, I would often sit on the radiator in the convent kitchen and have a cookie while visiting with the sisters. They never minded if we “just dropped in.”

Today I like to think that still holds true. As an administrator of a parish grammar school, I find children just dropping in my office at school. I don’t have tasty treats on my desk, but I do have an assortment of puzzles and interesting things with which to play. They come to chat and look at these toys and often bring me a picture or a question they want answered. I often pray to those early sisters I once knew that I might extend that welcome they always gave me.

Today’s world is still filled with those who still want to “just drop in,” and I encourage anyone interested in walking with us to do just that. Come see what we do, for it does involve trying to live simply, it does involve having an open heart to listen for God’s voice, it does involve looking for those needs in society which together we might address!