Sister Lynn Marie Ralph, SBS has been a member of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for 39 years in 2022. She is one of eight children born in Newark, NJ, and has an identical twin sister, Sister Patricia Ralph, SSJ who is a Sister of Saint Joseph, Chestnut Hill, PA. Growing up, it was her twin sister who always wanted to be a nun. Sister Lynn Marie always felt that this was not her calling. However, God does work in mysterious ways. At the age of twenty-three, Sister Lynn Marie while on a retreat at the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament motherhouse experienced emotions that were unsettling. She realize that “change” was about to take place in her life. It was on this weekend retreat that she said yes to God in answering the call of becoming a nun. It was a burden that she didn’t think she had that was lifted off of her. It was a huge sense of peace that she had experienced like no other. Sister Lynn Marie’s response to God was, “you mean that’s all I had to do was to say yes, and my life would be changed in a way that I never knew existed?” When one takes the time to be silent and wait on the Lord, and be of good courage, then blessings will be unending.
Sister Lynn Marie’s first mission experience was in San Carlos, AZ on the Apache Reservation. She experienced a culture that taught her the appreciation of a group of Native American people that embodies who they are and whose they are as children of God. They welcomed sister with open arms and she, in turn, welcomed them into her life.
As the years progressed, Sister Lynn Marie spent her ministry years in Harlem, NY, New Iberia, LA, Birmingham, AL, New Orleans, LA, Memphis, TN, and now in Philadelphia, PA. She loved being a Teacher, Principal, Director of Religious Education, and now as a Pastoral Care Assistant at Redeemer Health, formerly known as Holy Redeemer Hospital, in Philadelphia, PA. This ministry gives sister the opportunity to be with the elders as Eucharistic Minister, a listening spirit, and taking time to meet so many people which includes many employees throughout the hospital, as well as Saint Joseph Manor where a lot of the elderly residents reside. As part of the Pastoral Care office, Sister Lynn Marie has the opportunity to be in ministry with Chaplains of diverse religious backgrounds that include Priests, religious sisters, Baptist Ministers, and Catholic and Jewish Rabbis.
Sister Lynn Marie has given retreats, days of reflections, women’s bible study, and enjoys writing reflections. One of which is “The Spirituality of the Wizard of Oz,” which takes one on a journey from a religious perspective. Currently, she is a member of the National Black Sisters’ Conference and is on the Board of Trustees for the Tonya Dorsey and New Vision Foundation which enable students to receive scholarships for their success in the performing arts.
Sister Lynn Marie believes that it is important to Name, Claim, and Proclaim your journey of life. This means Naming the title of your written ongoing book of life, Claiming your story of who you as called by God. Thus having the opportunity to be a Proclaimer by giving witness to what God continues to do for you on your faith journey.
