Whatever else we can say about these past five years
We can certainly say
“It was a learning experience.”
Let me build on a learning experience that involves
A mother mouse and her family.

There was a mother mouse and her brood that lived in a large house.
She cared for them diligently and at a point in time
The felt they were mature enough to experience the rest of the world.

So one day, she brought them to a hole in the wall that lead to the living room.
She scouted the area and then came out of the hole leading her family
Along the edge of large room and into the first corner.
When they got to the corner, the family cat came in
spied them, and crouched ready to spring on them.
The mother mouse, pressed her family into the corner,
Stood in front of them on her hind legs, raised her shoulders and said,
Arf Arf!
The cat scurried away at the sound of the voice of the dog.

The mother mouse then lead her brood back to their nest,
Gathered them around and said to them
This is your first lesson in dealing with the world
“It’s always good so speak another language.”

Our magnet journey has introduced us to another language.
 We became acquainted with the language of those who sought to
block our magnet journey and destroy our dreams.

But most importantly, we became acquainted with magnetic language.
For us it is the magnetism of 
professional sharing of nurse to nurse and nurse to other staff within Saint Francis Hospital
the magnetism that allows sharing of ideas and responsibilities among nurses and other leaders in the organization
the magnetism that draws wisdom from the past and from the future in reflection and research.
The magnetism that reaches out into the community and draws  people together for their health and healing
The magnetism that projects influence and learning to other health care providers and invites dialogue about best practices and mission driven health care.

We are her to affirm, congratulate, thank and bless all of you who have been a part of this journey
And all of you who can now speak a second language-
A magnetic language comes from the power of faith that is within each of you
And the external influence of your witness that reaches out too others.

Let us pray
Good and gracious God,
By the power of your Son, you have drawn us to yourself
And by the words of your Son you have given us power to proclaim your Son to our world.
Bless each person here who has had a role in traveling this magnet journey
And all the patients and members of our professional and political community
Who will experience our magnetism.
May our lives praise you and may your will be done
Here at Saint Francis Hospital and within all of Resurrection.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.  Amen