For members of religious communities retirement is often seen as a signal to be ‘recycled.” How do we respond to the too frequently asked question, “What do you do?” when ‘doing’ no longer fills our days? What is the invitation embedded in this life event we call retirement? We will consider some of the attitudes that impact our response, the ordinary phases that are to be expected, some suggestions on how to move through them and the potential of new life that lies beyond.
Paula Cooney is a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Monroe, Michigan. Using her background in gerontology, spiritual direction and leadership in her own congregation, she has developed programs and retreats for seniors on a variety of topics that impact the journey of aging. Since the mid 90’s the core of her ministries have been with Elders, most recently as the director of a retirement center for a community of women religious. Paula has been an eldercare consultant with NRRO for the past 12 years.