Sister Martin de Porres Coleman, SNDdeN
Pastoral Care and Music Ministry

Sister Martin de Porres Coleman serves in a pastoral ministry and music ministry with elder Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SNDdeN). At Mercy Retirement and Care Center in Oakland, CA, she accompanies aging and sick SNDdeN in their ministry of prayer and suffering. Sr. Martin describes her pastoral ministry with the Sisters as well as her music ministry at liturgies for the SNDs and laity at Mercy Center.

"My ministry as Care Coordinator encompasses many aspects of daily living for the Sisters who are in need of extra assistance to make easier their own ministry of prayer and to make their preparation for Heaven a time of peace for “going home” to our good God. I consider this as the ‘heart’ of my ministry which is very rewarding.

"When the Sister comes to Mercy Center, it may be for a short time or maybe a longer period. Our Province Director of Health keeps me informed about who may be coming to MERCY in the near future. We then make preparations for the Sister’s arrival: preparing her small apartment, or welcoming her to the Care Center.

"I interface frequently with the staff and employees. I arrange medical appointments, and accompany the Sister to visits to doctors. Also I keep our Director of Health Care informed. In monitoring the physical and mental status of the Sister with the Director of Health Care, we may need to alert the members of the Province Team regarding the seriousness of the Sister’s condition. My ministry includes insuring that all final preparations are in place, if a Sister is critically ill. I am responsible for some funeral liturgies. I am usually the ‘point person’ for preparing the liturgy, especially at Mercy Center.

"For the past nine years or more, I have also served in the capacity of liturgical musician here at MERCY, by preparing the music for Sunday and seasonal liturgies, as well as funerals. And it does make my heart glad when the residents tell me that 'they missed me' on the Sunday when I was not playing or singing. I have always considered it a privilege when a Sister or a layperson or family member asks me to prepare their funeral. They often ask me to give them a 'good going home send off.' My personal joy increases when the family and friends tell me that the service was prayerful, beautiful, or joyful. I am so happy to serve in this ministry.

"Yes, this ministry is a very ‘personal’ one. For it is giving me the opportunity to plan and prepare for how I am and want to be – a few years on down the road – or whenever God calls me!"