It is a holy thing to ‘Love what death can touch’

By Angela Amos | FāVS News Columnist

My favorite way to begin a tour of the Women’s Hearth is with Sister Cathy Beckley. She is the stuff of legends. Who else would spend a year walking the streets of Spokane at night to ask women what they needed and what service providers were missing? 

Who else would open the Hearth without permission of her community because she knew it was the right thing to do? She gathered others around her to serve the mission of serving the women in her community. 

Frankly, she is a huge reason I wanted to work at the Hearth. Who does not want to follow in a kickass rogue nun’s footsteps? 

Sister Cathy Beckley died Nov. 21. Her memory will forever be a blessing. 

She set the standard of care here at the Hearth and for all of Transitions. We are not “top down” because Sister Cathy knew the value of coming alongside people, rather than telling them what they “should” do — who they “should” be. 

She knew trauma-informed care before it was an idea. She was open about her journey with addiction and her sobriety. She knew her story, especially with her position in life, would normalize the disease and help others. 

So she shared her vulnerability with her standard wit and humility. Her heart just beat out of her chest for others and her practical approach to addressing problems made her a force for good, for change and for doing the work. Also, I wish for thimble full of her energy. She was tireless.   

Sister Cathy was a lifelong learner, a gifted teacher and a bridge builder. Sister Cathy made Spokane a kinder place, one more receptive to those in need. She was loving and sparky, kind and so brilliant. 

I left any conversation with her feeling supported and challenged. It is an honour to miss her, to feel this grief, because we know what it is to have been in community and in relationship with her. 

Note about the column’s title:  “Love what death can touch” comes from the poem “‘Tis A Fearful Thing” by the medieval Jewish poet Yehuda HaLevi, though some attribute it to Rabbi Chaim Stern. It’s pasted below.

‘Tis a Fearful Thing 

‘Tis a fearful thing 

to love what death can touch. 

A fearful thing 

to love, to hope, to dream, to be – 

to be, 

And oh, to lose. 

A thing for fools, this, 

And a holy thing, 

a holy thing 

to love. 

For your life has lived in me, 

your laugh once lifted me, 

your word was gift to me.

To remember this brings painful joy. 

‘Tis a human thing, love, 

a holy thing, 

to love what death has touched.”

 ― Yehuda HaLevi

The views expressed in this opinion column are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of FāVS News. FāVS News values diverse perspectives and thoughtful analysis on matters of faith and spirituality.

Never miss a story. Get the top headlines, breaking news, commentaries, and handpicked favorites delivered straight to your inbox every morning. Subscribe to our quick, free and informative FāVS News Daily Newsletter.