The Melody of My Life

I have been a Sister of Saint Joseph for over 63 years.  In all those years, I have been very happy and have had several fruitful ministries, most of which have been in education. When I entered in 1951 the only ministry available was in education, and that suited me fine, because I always wanted to teach music – which is what I get to do! Initially I taught school and music but when I was asked to teach music alone, I was really happy.  I had a choir, a small band, and I taught music in various classrooms.  I also cantored in Church for a number of years.

Today, a young woman interested in our Congregation could do almost anything she wished, as long as there would be a need.  I have seen many changes in our Congregation through the years.  We seem to have the knack of being mindful of the signs of the times.  There are opportunities to become a nurse or a doctor, a lawyer or a social worker.  All these ministries are available. 

For the past 43 years I have ministered at Chestnut Hill College.  For most of that time I have been a Professor, but for a few years I was in Administration. I must confess that I prefer the teaching end of my career.  I was Chair of the Music Department and chair of the Humanities Division.  Then I became Associate Dean of the Undergraduate School, hiring and meeting with adjuncts each semester.

           

My most enjoyable time was when I was able to perform and give recitals. When I was on sabbatical in the 1990’s I gave a flute recital in Minnesota. That memory continues to be special to me. During that sabbatical, I also had the privilege of living with Native American people (Ojibway) for several months.  I learned so much from them and I still teach a course in Native American Music, Art and Culture.

           

Five years ago I made a thirty-day retreat at our house in Cape May Pont, New Jersey.  It was a time of prayer and reflection on the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius.  There were eight of us at the time.  At age 75 I did not realize how much I still needed to learn about myself and my relationship with Jesus. I was reminded that just as the flute depends upon the one who plays it for its melody, so too do I desire to live my life open to the melody God wishes to bring forth from me.  It was a very special time and for that I am most grateful.

I am not yet ready to retire! I love what I do and as long as God gives me the strength I will continue.  I find that the young people keep me at least thinking young.  They are refreshing, and so eager to learn.  Some of them want to be music teachers, and others will go into performance.  But all of them are what keep me going!

At present I live in a local Community with five other Sisters of Saint Joseph.  We work hard at being true to our promises to God and one another.  The dear neighbor is someone very special to us, and we, though imperfect, strive to be as faithful as we can. 

Sister Barbara Glennon, SSJ

Sister Barbara currently serves as a Professor of Music at Chestnut Hill College.

Finding God in My Daily Life

As I didn’t enter the Sisters of St. Joseph until my early 30s, I am what we call a “late vocation.” I lived in Center City, Philadelphia during my 20s until I began to realize that something was missing in my life. I wanted to belong to something greater than myself. They say that the early 30s is a time of transition, and it certainly was for me. I resisted strongly when I realized that God was seriously inviting me to religious life. I told my Vocation Director that I knew I would never be accepted because I was too old. After she assured me that I was not too old, I started my journey towards becoming a Sister of St. Joseph of Philadelphia.

The renowned mystic St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, exhorted his men to “find God in all things.” When I first entered community, I was not good at finding God in all things. As the years went by and my relationship with God deepened, however, I had the grace to begin to recognize God’s action in the people and situations around me.

Because of the fact that I live with rheumatoid arthritis, a disabling condition, my ministry has always been in the field of disability. Now I live in a convent section of our retirement home, St. Joseph Villa, where I do some spiritual writing and direction.

I’ve learned a great deal about God’s daily Presence from living with our elder Sisters of St. Joseph. I see it in the tenacity which some sisters exhibit by attending Mass every single day, no matter how unwell they feel or how they struggle with their walkers. I find God in the simple exchange of love that occurs when a sister assists another sister by cutting her food or straightening her room. I can see God present in the care and concern that all sisters and staff exhibit toward one another. Finally, there’s the fun we have at times in community by putting on shows, playing games, and just laughing

together.

In Saints for Healing, a book I wrote about the Communion of Saints published in 2006, I stated my belief that God is with us, offering graces to us, and inviting us to find the Divine Presence at all times. I believe the invitation is to look with the eyes that are in our hearts as well as the eyes that are in our heads.

  

Sister Janice McGrane, SSJ

Sister Janice McGrane, a Sister of St. Joseph for 32 years, is a writer, spiritual director, and disability activist. She has published two books about the communion of saints: Saints to Lean On: Spiritual Companions for Illness and Disability and also Saints for Healing: Stories of Courage and Hope.

What I Believe

As postulants and novices, we were taught the importance of focused, daily prayer as a way to deepen our relationship with Jesus. Although “showing up” each day was difficult at first, this time with God is precious to me. Lately, reading Creighton University’s “Online Reflections” often serves as a springboard to my own prayer and provides something to carry with me throughout the day. One writer recently quoted Sister Helen Prejean, a Sister of St. Joseph who works with death row inmates. Her quote, “I watch what I do to see what I really believe,” really caught my eye and touched my heart. Hmmm…what do I really believe? Do my actions match my beliefs? After prayer that morning I felt moved to consciously recall this quote as often as I could as a reminder to be authentic in what I do and say as I go about my day.

Sometime later, I went over to Church to put up signs advertising the poor box outreach. As I went inside, there were two parishioners standing with a third parishioner who was softly crying. I didn’t wish to intrude on their conversation, so I quickly went on to finish my task. However, the quote sprung to my mind and I had to ask myself: do I believe the saying “To be a Sister of St. Joseph is to be about relationships?” Was I missing a chance to truly live out that belief? Why didn’t I join the three women, all of whom I knew? Was “I don’t want to disturb them” just an excuse not to be with them? I felt a distinct nudge to return to the little group and just be present to them, although I wasn’t at all sure of what my presence would add to the situation. After a short, pleasant conversation with them, the third woman left. One of the ladies then turned to me and said, “Sister, please pray for her…she’s having a hard time.” It turns out that the woman who had been sharing her struggle with losing her husband just a short time ago. I promised to pray for her, but I remembered receiving Father Ed Hayes’ “Psalm for the Dying” after the death of a dear friend and how it helped me in my own sadness. I offered to give both women a copy of it to give to the new widow—would they like that? We walked over to my office and I gave them each a copy. “This is good!” said one, and the other agreed, saying, “This is perfect! Thank you for stopping to talk to us!”

No….it was the both of YOU whom I should be thanking—for reminding me of the importance of being present to someone who needed a listening ear and words of comfort. Such a small, ordinary event - but one that reminded me not to pass up opportunities to watch what I do to see what I believe.

Sister Patricia Mensing, SSJ

Sister Patricia Mensing currently serves as the Pastoral Associate for Social Justice/Social Concerns at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Potomac, MD; she also offers spiritual direction, retreats, and days of reflection.

A Reflection Inspired by a Magnolia Tree

I first met Magnolia when I moved into Thea House in Newark, NJ a little over 10 years ago. There she was, right outside my bedroom window. Right away we developed a relationship through which I grew into a closer relationship with our loving God and the Paschal Mystery of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

I always face my window during my morning time of prayer.  It was summer when I moved into Thea House and Magnolia’s many leaves were very green and she looked as though she were greeting me so I started to speak to her.  I told her how beautiful she was and I thanked her for always being there even when I was absent or not aware of her presence.  I reflected on how much this spoke to me of God.  God is beautiful and wants me to soak up and enjoy the beauty in nature and my surroundings.  More importantly, God is always present even when my mind and heart are not aware that God is there.  This truly touched my heart and I ended saying a prayer of thanks to God for always being there for me, even when I am not aware of God’s presence.  This has been and continues to be a great source of strength for me, especially in times of anxiety or stress.

The photo shows Magnolia attired in her early fall garments.  Her leaves are just beginning to turn yellow and brown, a sign that they are dying and will soon fall to the ground.  Winter is a time when the dying is complete – there are no leaves on Magnolia’s branches since she has given them up to the dying.  This is such a potent reminder to me of the suffering and death of Jesus.  However, Jesus’ suffering and death were not the end of the story.  We know from Scripture that he promised his disciples that, even though he would suffer and die a terrible death, he would rise from the dead.  This gave those who believed great hope.  Magnolia’s buds, visible from late summer to spring, are a sign of great hope since they hold the beauty that will blossom into new life in the spring.  The buds are visible in the lower portion of the photo – look closely.

Magnolia has taught me much about our loving God and God’s Son Jesus:  God is always present even when I am unaware of his presence; Jesus willingly suffered and died for love of me; Jesus rose gloriously from the dead and gave me the hope of eternal life.  What a lesson!

The Constitutions of the Sisters of St Joseph states “Our prayer. . . calls us into relationship with God, self, and the neighbor.  Through prayer, Jesus enables us to enter more fully and more freely into the celebration of the Paschal Mystery in a life of self-emptying love and service.”  Magnolia inspires me to live these words.

Sister Joan Suberati SSJ

Born and raised in New Jersey, Sister Joan entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia in 1964.  Her ministry for most of her years in Religious Life was in education -- from elementary through high school, culminating in 16 years in Administration.  Now in her "Golden Years," Sister Joan is waiting to begin a new secretarial ministry that will involve a little less responsibility.  Throughout all her years, Sister Joan’s prayer life and love of Scripture have been very important to her.

Jesus of the Streets

The afflicted and the needy seek water in vain , their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the Lord will answer them.  Isaiah 41:17

Last week as I as traveling home from Philly, I had the most awesome experience of Jesus. As I was turning off the Vine Street Expressway and approaching the Ben Franklin Bridge there are always some homeless people asking for help, carrying their signs up and down in between the cars. My first reaction is not to make eye contact especially because I am traveling alone and to keep going as the light changes. But this time God wanted me to see through what could appear uncomfortable and experience His son, Jesus, walking the streets of Philly. As I sat there my heart began to feel this burning desire to experience this stranger. I looked over and we made eye contact and for a few moments no words were needed. He had the most beautiful blue eyes and kind smile. I lowered my window and gave him a few dollars that I had in my pocket, and the light  changed . As I was closing my window, I heard him say, “Merry Christmas.”  During he rest of the ride home, I reflected on this unusual experience.  Lately  God had opened my eyes to see the ordinary things in a very extraordinary way.  I just had a real life “God” moment. In our world today we have to be so careful of what we do and  whom we speak to but in this case all my walls were down and God’s loving embrace was very present.

During the Advent and Christmas time, God speaks of trust, hope, and love. My life has been filled with so many moments of God’s presence. Since the deaths of my parents, I have seen and experienced the everyday  in such  an  awesome way. God’s loving arms are so comforting and my  parents’ love just continues to pour out to me through this love. This experience of seeing homeless people walking the streets of our cities is not a new experience for me, but this time God wanted me to see him in a different way. So this lesson has taught me to see with new eyes and continue to reverence each and every moment with those I love.

My last CD was truly one of those special moments. Loss is a very difficult experience, but losing both parents for me was devastating. God allowed me to grieve through my songs but at the end healed my heart. In turn these songs have helped so many people move through whatever they needed to heal in their own lives.

The poet Hafiz wrote: “The place you are right now God circled on a map for you.” This Advent and Christmas time have certainly been very different for me. A time of great happenings! A time of new beginnings! A time of great love and hope! A time to dream and let God make it all happen! 

God’s peace,
JudithAnn Loschiavo, SSJ

Sister Judy has  lived and taught first grade at St. Joseph Regional School, Somers Point NJ for the past 20 years. She has produced four CDs which were all wonderful, prayerful experiences for her.  She wrote all the lyrics to the songs on her latest CD, titled, “New Beginnings.” These songs were a reflection and deep prayer after both of her parents’ passing. She also coaches JV girls  basketball , helps out with the school’s Chess Club and cantors for her school and parish liturgies. She loves photography and listening to music.