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.