Our Ministry of Prayer and Presence

The Haitian proverb “We see from where we stand” invites us to expand our perspectives and to grasp the interconnectedness existing throughout the world.  Developing this understanding has the potential to promote solidarity among us.

For me, this proverb is applicable to the work of Saint Joseph Guild which serves as a link between our Saint Joseph Villa Sisters’ Ministry of Prayer and the needs of our wounded world. Intentions come daily beseeching our Sisters’ intercession: from a heartbroken parent on behalf of a wayward child, a spouse for the recovery of a loved one, the safety of a son/ daughter in the military, for forgiveness and harmony within a family, the return of children to their Faith, and so many heartaches borne by others.

In response, all these burdens are lifted up during daily Mass and the personal devotions of our elder/infirm Villa Sisters. Additionally, these Sisters embody our Founder’s advice:  “If your state of life does not allow you to work openly for the advancement of God’s glory and the salvation of the neighbor, offer for both of these aims your holy desires, your prayers, your tears and your sufferings; in a word, every work of your life and the agony of your death, uniting them with the holy intentions of the Savior Jesus.”  (Maxims of Perfection XI, 3)

 Privileged to serve in the Guild, I witness this deepening of our interconnectedness with others wrought by our beloved Villa Sisters’ daily fidelity to their Ministry of Prayer and Presence. When you meet them, please express your gratitude to them for their outreach on behalf of our wounded world! 

Sister Fran DeLisle SSJ

Sister Fran is a native of Philadelphia. Her first 30 years as a Sister of Saint Joseph she ministered in elementary and secondary schools in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Fran began ministry among “Seniors” in 1991 spending one year at Bethlehem Retirement Village before coming to Saint Joseph Villa in 1992 where she currently serves as the coordinator of the Guild.

Cradled Closer to the Heart of Jesus

September 2015 marks my 40^th year as a Sister of Saint Joseph. In these years, the gift of prayer, being sensitive to God’s continued calling and grace have been what I have found to be most fulfilling. God places enticements before me to deepen our relationship while living out my call as a Sister of Saint Joseph. Recently, a question from Father Gustavo Gutierrez increased my desire to be joined with God, “So you say you love the poor? Name them.” This quote has encouraged me to be mindful of naming in prayer the poor person I encounter. I am challenged by a similar admonition from Dorothy Day, “The Gospel takes away our right forever, to discriminate between the deserving and the undeserving poor.”

In my ministry as a therapist, I meet individuals who feel undeserving of God’s love. They are emotionally and spiritually poor from having made the decision to have an abortion. The ministry of Project Rachel saturates these wounded souls with the message, “There is no sin greater than God’s mercy.”  Their poor troubled hearts carry a very unique sorrow that causes them a great deal of suffering. They believe that they have committed the unforgivable sin which makes them feel unholy. I more recently came upon a saying by Matthew Fox that read “God’s first outburst is always compassion.” I found this a remarkable notion and portrait of our great God and God’s reactions to us, and certainly a reminder for me to have that same emotional response with others. The post-abortive clients I meet are so ready to be condemned, punished and shamed for what they have done. To be part of a ministry that hands them only an awareness of God’s mercy and healing is a wonderful gift.  It is just the opposite of what they think they deserve. The SSJ vocation of reconciliation and healing allows me to introduce them to Jesus who knows their pain as well as their child. I share with them this beautiful statue that is in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  It lets them know that “nothing can separate us from the love of God,” not even an abortion.  They experience their child as cradled in the arms of the Lord. (http://lancastergardenofhope.com/)

 To conclude, I would like to borrow a signature saying of Oprah Winfrey:  “What I know for sure…” While interviewing others she asks them to complete that sentence. “What do you know for sure…?” What I know for sure is that God is faithful; we are never alone. My vocation, my relationship with God is deepened by a song with that sentiment and assurance.  “I Am Not Alone”- Kari Jobe is a reminder to me; it encourages me and gives me faith, hope and love each day as I continue to live the treasure of vocation that is being a Sister of Saint. Joseph. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow4OfW4DP9s) May your listening bring you a sense of being cradled closer to the Heart of Jesus.

Sister Meg Cole SSJ

Sister Meg is a licensed  Marriage and Family therapist at Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Allentown, PA. 

The Place of Encounter

A number of years ago while I was studying Liturgy, one of my professors put up a print from the ”Creation of Adam” fresco by Michelangelo found in the Sistine Chapel. The print depicts the finger of God reaching for the finger of Adam.

This Jesuit priest told his class that the space between God’s finger and Adam’s finger is the Eucharist, the Liturgy—the place of encounter with the living God. I never forgot that statement and it continues to draw me into contemplation to this very day. My Jesuit teacher’s reflection reminded me so much of a quote from a letter of another Jesuit, Jean-Pierre Medaille who reminded all the daughters of Joseph, "Now, my dear daughters, is not all found in a marvelous manner in the Eucharist?" 

Core to my daily prayer is the Eucharist. On a daily basis, it is my privilege to be invited into this marvelous Oneness between God and humanity in the Eucharist. I stand in awe at the nearness of God and all creation in the celebration.

Sister Sandy DeMasi SSJ

  
Sister Sandy is a Pastoral Associate for Liturgy in Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Short Hills, NJ and a consultant for RCL Benziger Religion Publishers.

Jesus the Light in Our Darkness

As a chaplain at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, I frequently meet people of deep faith asking questions, such as, “Why?” Why did I, my husband, wife, son, daughter, or loved one get cancer?  Why would God let this happen? Why has God abandoned me?

Each of us has gone through something we never thought God would permit, something we prayed against. Perhaps it was cancer, the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or the loss of a relationship. 

I never had cancer, but I know what it’s like to be in that dark place, when I did not sense the presence of God. Years ago, I went through a very painful experience. For weeks and weeks, I kept asking Jesus, “Where are You in all of this?  How do You feel about what I am going through?” 

One night during prayer, as the darkness enveloped my heart, I once again asked Jesus the above questions. Hours later, I had a sense of Jesus saying to me, “Anne, I am so sorry this is happening to you. I’ll love you through this.” Now, the pain didn’t go away, but I knew I wasn’t alone in it. To know that Jesus was with me IN the darkness, sharing my pain gave me deep peace, great comfort, and the trust I needed to believe I would know healing and, in time, I did. That experience, that movement from darkness to light, deepened my awareness of the love and faithfulness of Jesus.

Like our patients, I don’t understand the “Why” of suffering. Pope Francis, while speaking to parents of disabled children stated, “Do not be afraid to ask, even to challenge the Lord. 'Why?' Maybe an explanation won’t come… but we will feel his gaze upon us and this will give us the strength to go forward…The most important thing is the gaze.” 

May we have an open heart to feel the gaze; for our “God is close to the brokenhearted and those who are crushed in spirit, God saves.” (Ps. 34:19)

Let’s stay close; stay very close to Jesus, the Light IN our darkness. 

Anne McCoy SSJ

 

Sister Anne is a chaplain at the Cancer Treatment Center of America and has been a spiritual and retreat director for the past 25 years.

Loving God and Neighbor Without Distinction

“When I was hungry you gave me to eat. When I was thirsty you gave me to drink. When I was a stranger you welcomed me. When I was lacking clothes you gave me clothes. When I was sick you visited me. When I was in prison you visited me” (Matthew 25:35-40). These words have been my favorite passage since I was a child. My family, friends and the Sisters of Saint Joseph, in Saint Mary School, Saint Clair, Pennsylvania were a living witness to this gospel message. The Sisters of Saint Joseph, with their joyful spirit and generous outreach to others, inspired me to enter the Congregation.

Since my entrance into the Congregation, and especially for the last seventeen years in my current ministry at Chestnut Hill College, I have had the opportunity to experience the presence of God in many people.  Each day, I am enlightened by the Spirit working in numerous persons who practice this outreach to others, and by those who afford me the opportunity to do the same. Through networking with other Sisters of Saint Joseph, I’ve been able to direct those in need to the services that will assist them.

Many college students have never met a Sister of Saint Joseph until they arrive at Chestnut Hill College. A student told me that she never thought about outreach to others until she came to Chestnut Hill. She has since realized the many opportunities to assist others. She believes she found God through these opportunities of being “a healing presence.” This student’s faith and works of mercy are a testimony to God working in and through each of us.

It is a humbling experience to practice the works of mercy and to know that what I do for others, I do for Christ.

Sister Marie Bambrick SSJ

Sister Marie currently ministers at Chestnut Hill College in the Division of Teacher Education and Leadership.