A Place in the Choir

When feasting your eyes on the painting “All God’s Critters Have a Place in the Choir,” you

can affirm artist Oblate Brother Mickey McGrath’s creativity. He depicts two-legged and four-legged creatures, crawling and flying critters, colorfully-clad Asians, Africans, Caucasians, solemnly robed rabbi and bishop, a bare-chested Buddha, lively sax player, dancing minstrel, and even a bird of prey all joined in praising God!

Then, visualize this eclectic ensemble while listening to Celtic Thunder’s foot-stomping, hand-clapping rendition of “A Place in the Choir.”  Their tempo and

lyrics

                         Some sing low and some sing higher

             Some sing out loud on the telephone wire

             Some just clap their hands or paws or anything they got, now” *

are positively contagious!  Enjoying these unique “choirs” offers a sensory experience!

The Founders’ Day Liturgy at Saint Joseph Villa showcased an equally extra-

ordinary Choir under the dynamic direction of Mary William, SSJ. Melody

Makers, arriving on walkers, in wheel chairs, using canes, or stepping gingerly, many

sporting hearing aids, lifted our hearts and refreshed out spirits!  Despite any

physical limits, their hearts and voices soared through descants  (Blest Be the

Lord, You Are Called) and rounds (Rejoice in the Lord) expressing unbounded

joy!    Surely, this commemoration of the 365^th anniversary of the founding of

the Sisters of Saint Joseph deserved such a glorious choral tribute!

Yes, these octogenarians and nonagenarians embodied Psalm 8: “Till the end

of my days, O Lord, I will sing your praise”  bearing concrete witness to the

joy of vocation!

* Google: Celtic Thunder Heritage, “A Place in the Choir”

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.

My Man Jesus

I never wanted to enter the convent, but during my senior year in college I had the nagging feeling that God had other plans for me. So in 1956 I entered the Sisters of Saint Joseph and have never had even one day of regret. During these years I have had many experiences and have met hundreds of sisters and lay persons who have inspired me.

One lasting memory occurred at Montgomery County Prison in Norristown, PA. A group of Sisters of Saint Joseph and parishioners from Saint Thomas Parish in Whitemarsh, PA tutored inmates in preparation for taking the GED exam. Because we were such a faithful and dedicated group, the warden permitted us to have an annual Christmas party. We brought tons of food and soda that our students consumed or took with them to trade for other items, e.g. cigarettes.

We reminded our classes to be sure to come to class on the night of the party. One of my students told me that he had been a Christian but now he was a Muslim and for that reason he thought maybe he shouldn’t come to the party. He said he loved “my man Jesus” because he was a great prophet and marvelous storyteller. I told him that “my man Jesus” invited all people to the table so he should definitely be a part of the party. So my student came and thoroughly enjoyed himself.

A few days after the prison party, I attended an elegant cocktail party. In a conversation with a non-Christian professor, she told me that she wanted her children to learn about and love the prophet, Jesus, but she disliked the materialistic way that Christians celebrate Christmas. So, she and her husband give each of their children a small gift to celebrate the birth of the prophet Jesus. Neither I nor anyone else at the party mentioned “my man Jesus.”

I often reflect on these two Christmas parties and thank God for these two non-Christian people who remind me that “my man Jesus” is the center of my life.

Margaret Fleming SSJ

Sister Peg has been a Sister of Saint Joseph for 59 years. She served in a variety of ministries throughout those years, most recently meeting and serving the dear neighbor at The Sister of Saint Joseph Welcome Center in Kensington.

I've Got You

“You’re Okay; I’ve got you!” Famous last words that I spoke to one of my favorite four-year-olds, Noelle, just before an extremely rough Cape May wave knocked us both down this summer. Believe me, it wasn’t pretty! We wiped out! It was one of those, “I’m way too embarrassed to ever get out of this water,” kinds of experiences. I was so concerned about getting Noelle out from under the water that I didn’t notice, at first, that half of the sand in the ocean was now in my precariously hanging bathing suit. Yes, it was THAT bad…

After what felt like forever underwater, we finally broke free enough from the pounding waves that she was able to stand. She promptly taught me a great life lesson. Barely steadied, she scanned the crowd, fixed her eyes on her mom and ran to sit beside her. Actually, she nestled herself right in under her mom’s arm. Safe! Noelle rightly secured, I hastily got back into the water to offer the ocean back its sand and to straighten out my twisted bathing suit. When I went to join them on the beach, Noelle asked, “Aunt Michelle, was that fun?” Afraid that she would never go back into the water again, I assured her that it was VERY fun.

Weeks later, while on retreat, God brought that image back to my mind and heart. I heard God say to me, “You’re okay; I’ve got you.” So many life circumstances have the potential to cause us to feel a little disoriented  - transitions of all kinds, loss, joys, new challenges, new relationships, etc. Yet, as Sisters of Saint Joseph, we too are called to fix our eyes deeply on the One who steadies us – Jesus. With God’s grace, we are invited to do the things that we know sustain and root us more deeply in that relationship, even in times that threaten to pull us under. And the truth is we are okay, because God indeed has each one of us.

As we look to the celebration of our Founders’ Day tomorrow, I can’t help but think of our sister ancestors, who risked life, homeland, personal desires, satisfaction, and comfort at every turn. Why? Because they had their eyes fixed on something greater – our mission, vision, charism, and even more importantly, on Someone greater, who called them to love without counting the cost. I feel certain that at times they felt knocked down, wiped out, and off course; yet they knew where to run to feel safe and to be renewed. That witness and deep conviction steadies, inspires, and challenges us, even to this day, to keep moving forward, trusting that there is so much life yet to be lived.

While it may not always be “FUN,” it is always worth it! For, we know from experience that our God is faithful – that God’s surely “got” us - and therefore, we are okay!

Michelle Lesher SSJ

Sister Michelle is a Sister of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia currently serving in Formation and Vocation Ministry. She is passionate about Faith Formation, especially for Youth and Young Adults.

Springs of Living Water

At times we have all been thirsty—physically or spiritually – desperate to do almost anything to feel renewed, refreshed, revitalized. We know that where there is water there is life! ­­­­­­­I have always been drawn to the sacredness of water. Therefore, I have purposely planned my retreats beside water.

During one particular retreat, I was drawn to pray beside an Artesian well. Having come to this retreat after several recent losses, I myself felt like this now-empty well, needing desperately to be filled and refreshed. I randomly opened to the Gospel passage of Jesus meeting the Samaritan Woman at the well.  God’s message in this gospel touched me in surprisingly profound ways.  

This image of “holy” water and my love of this Gospel story emerged later as my Jubilee theme. Through the years I continue to ponder this Gospel story, perhaps because I so easily identify with the Samaritan woman.  Many times I am this woman – living out the ordinariness of each day, balancing my concerns and desires, searching for solitude, yearning for answers, always faithfully attempting to fulfill my calling by returning daily to this sacred well…returning to fill my jar, hoping to share with others this gift of life-giving water.

Often, like the Samaritan woman, I am caught off guard by the tangible presence of Jesus. Jesus appears in the form of a co-worker, a member of my local community, an associate, a friend, a sister to whom I minister, or even a complete stranger. Meeting at the well, we talk, we listen, we encourage, we share, and I find myself leaving refreshed and renewed!

In John’s Gospel, Jesus says to the Samaritan woman, “If you but knew the gift of God…”  I feel blessed to recognize this “gift of God” in my ministry as SSJ Director of Senior Services, as I share the hopes and dreams of so many sisters who come to meet Jesus at the well.  As true SSJs, our sisters bring their deep spirituality and overwhelming generosity to serve the dear neighbor. They inspire me with their strong faith that Jesus will indeed re-fill their jar to overflowing with life-giving water.

I am sincerely in awe of these sisters who have lived their entire lives in service and are determined to pursue new opportunities, accomplishing “good works.” They amaze me!  They inspire me!

In my quest to be true to my religious vocation, to re-commit each day to living my religious life as a Sister of Joseph in service to God, others, and for the good of our planet, I picture myself as the Samaritan woman returning daily to the well.  In reality, our senior sisters fill my empty jar – fill me — with living water!

Sister Eileen Dorothy Maguire SSJ

Sister Eileen Dorothy has spent most of her ministry in education, as teacher and administrator, and has also been involved in parish faith formation and spiritual direction.  She is currently the SSJ Director of Senior Services.