A year after the death of Sister Teresa Gould, FH, I still feel the impact of her love on my life. I vividly remember this version of Psalm 23 from her funeral liturgy:

For so many years of providing music for funeral liturgies, the words of this psalm pierced my heart. I can hear Sister Teresa singing these words of trust, and hearing her voice made me savor good memories.

As a Franciscan Hermit, Sister Teresa shared immense joy, shaped my musicianship, and helped me to love the Church through music.

In considering Sister’s approach to life and death, I reflect on the wisdom of Saint Francis of Assisi, who said that death is “neither an enemy to overcome nor a fate to be accepted but rather a friend, a kinsman, to be received with all courtesy.”

Life lessons such as these took deep root during countless Fridays when we rehearsed Renaissance music as the hilltop cleared of students and the Oregon rain poured. We sat in the music room, rehearsing one vocal part at a time to prepare for Sunday’s liturgy.

I savor the memory of the contemplative piano music Sister Teresa offered at the random chapel liturgy. Her music was always sublime.

I recall the one time Sister Teresa asked me to sub for her as organist in the Abbey. It was the first and only time I accompanied the monks for Vespers. Who would have known that many years later, I would become an oblate for the house?

I will treasure the memory of being Sister Teresa’s Assistant Director and the gift of being allowed to use an original composition for the liturgy. I am eternally grateful that Sister Teresa believed in me.

In many ways, Sister Teresa prepared me for life. She prepared me through music. For this, I am forever grateful.

Just as the Virgin Mary and all the saints gave their Yes to God’s plan, Sister Teresa taught me to give my own unique Yes—to embrace God’s joy-filled journey to everlasting life.

When I heard of Sister Teresa’s death, the one picture I treasured was found only in my contacts list. A hard copy of the photo was forever lost. After the funeral liturgy, there was a display of all of Sister Teresa’s memorabilia. My heart was struck with emotion; the one photo I treasured of her was framed and in the center of the display. She kept our photo all these years. I would like to think it was Sister Teresa’s way of saying thank you for such a rich friendship we shared. I asked friends if I could take the photo with me as I returned to California. A treasure of such a beautiful friendship.