Fr. Dick McCaslin, SJ, director of the Oshkosh Jesuit Retreat House, tells a story about hearing a beautiful songbird outside his window. Reacting to the enchanting notes he says to God, "Thank you for the beautiful song. If only I could sing like that."
Months pass and one day upon hearing the bird, he throws the window open wide and shouts, "Turn the page, Fathead."
When I heard Fr. McCaslin tell this story not long ago, I thought of a co-worker here at the Province who recently passed away. Jaye Sweet worked in the development office since 1989. She witnessed many of the changes that led to the creation of the Jesuit Partnership, which solicits prayers, friendship, and financial support for the Jesuits of the upper Midwest and Great Plains states.
In recent years Jaye fought the most incredibly dignified, uplifting, and spirited battle against cancer I could ever have imagined. Through it all, she was always… she was always Jaye.
Many who called the Seminary Guild and later the Partnership office over the years knew Jaye by voice, if not by name. She was the songbird on our end of the line. But unlike the songbird in Fr. McCaslin's story, Jaye was always turning the page, revealing her inner beauty in different ways.
God must surely have a great sense of humor and justice. Jaye came into this world Janet Ann Sheridan - nice, but not prophetic. With nicknames and marriage she became Jaye Sweet, a name that in an off-the-rack world is a custom fit if ever there were one - a capital J as in jubilant. Sweet, as in no one sweeter.
Throughout her illness, Jaye continued working on a part-time basis for as long as she could manage. One day, not too long before her death, she flashed her trademark smile and said, "Felipe, how are you today?" I responded with my usual, "Pretty good. How are you?"
I felt so foolish. Here she was in the battle of her life and I offered the perfunctory in response to her sincerity. No doubt she sensed my uneasiness. Her reply was a definitive and euphoric: "I'm doing fine, thank you. It's great to be alive." As she was turning the final pages of her life, joy remained in her voice.
Jaye loved the Jesuits and thoroughly rejoiced in a job that allowed her to do her part to advance the training of novices, help support new ministries, and ensure the dignified care of elder Jesuits. In a world where 'having an attitude' generally connotes a negative, Jaye's attitude was inspirational.
Besides fielding development office phone calls, Jaye devoutly supervised the Province enrollment card program. It was her baby, in part because she cared so much about others and loved sharing in their lives.
She knew so many of our benefactors by voice and by name. She took an interest in their lives. She shared their delight over births, baptisms, birthdays, marriages, and anniversaries. She prayed that their grief might be eased in times of loss.
At our weekly staff meetings each of us gives a brief update of our week's activities. Jaye always concluded her summary with these words: "And I love my job."
If angels can read, hopefully one will whisper these words to Jaye: "We loved working with you. And we thank you for showing us all how to turn the page."
-Phil Nero
