The gift of Vocation: Marching in the Light of God!

I recently invited our Youth Group from St. Albert the Great Parish in Huntingdon Valley — better known as CSI (Christian Stewardship Involvement), to assist with the Alzheimer’s Fund Raiser Walk at our Villa. This group always looks forward to connecting with our sisters there. On this particular day, the group of about 25 boys and girls and their parents participated in the walk by assisting the sisters using walkers and in wheelchairs. They also enhanced the walk with their drums, tambourines and marching sticks. The group had everyone walking to the beat and singing “When the Saints Come Marching In”; thus, creating a mile of smiles on both young and old. Everyone was totally engulfed in the spirit and enthusiasm of our sisters. They danced, sang and marched around the Villa grounds to the beat of the drum and all for a good cause. As everyone became part of the contagious JOY that permeated the walk, I couldn’t help but realize that, “Yes, we do march to the beat of a different drum.”  

 
After the walk, I discovered a lot of one-on-one conversations going on between a sister and one or more of the group. The sharing taking place consisted of stories of vocation, the call, mission, joy and happiness; each story was connected with a lived experience in their lives as Sisters of Saint Joseph. The JOY of vocation was so evident as I listened to conversations. There truly was “sharing of the heart” and active listening taking place on both sides of these encounters. What a wealth of inspiration and wisdom was exchanged! The parents, too, were enriched as they re-connected with sisters whom they encountered in their elementary education. Once again, through service at the Villa, this group was touched by a special spirit of joy.

I personally came away with a sense of pride and gratitude:  pride in all that we as Sisters of Saint Joseph give witness to, and gratitude for the gift of our SSJ  mission, history, and spirituality as lived by all these “Saints” — our sisters. I thank our sisters at the Villa for sharing their stories.

 

That day, as we all marched past the cemetery and sang “When the Saints Come Marching In,” the Communion of Saints became a reality even more. It is my prayer that the stories of our sisters told that day will inspire these young men and women and their parents to continue our mission and our story as they live lives dedicated to spreading the Joy of the Gospel.

May we all march in the Light of God, as we journey together young and old to the beat of our own unique drum. The JOY of Vocation as stated in our Generous Promise is alive and well at our Villa — thanks be to God and thanks to our sisters!

All of this inspiration was made possible by a walk that was organized to reach out to those living with a disease that afflicts so many individuals and families.  Let us not forget to remember them in our prayer.

Pat Gannon SSJ

Presently my ministry is that of Director of Religious Education at St. Albert the Great Parish in Huntingdon Valley, Pa. Through my almost 50 years as a Sister of  Saint Joseph I have been involved in elementary education and Parish Pastoral Ministry. Enabling others and heightening the awareness of our youth to the needs of others and to their own potential to do good have always given me “joy in my vocation.”