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.

The Heart of the Wounded Healer

“‘I realized I was not the only one crying.’  This is the heart of the wounded healer.”

These were the most powerful words I heard spoken at the recent World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from Manila, in his keynote address, quoted this line in a letter he received from a young refugee woman, who had made her way the Philippines. As I listened to her story, tears came to my eyes, for I realized they were my words too.

A few months ago, my father went home to God after suffering 10 years with dementia. For those ten years, I was his caregiver while also being engaged in full-time parish ministry. These were challenging years for me and my family. But as I look back on them now, I realize they were also incredibly grace-filled moments of darkness and light with a deep conversion of heart.

God used the last 10 years to teach me how to love more deeply, tenderly, and compassionately.  As I embraced the wounded body, mind and heart of Jesus in my father, I allowed Jesus to embrace my own wounded heart and learned how to more fully and freely love while embracing the “gift-wounds” of each person I encountered. Pope Francis speaks of a “Spirituality of Encounter”; the call to encounter Jesus in each person, poor and vulnerable. God has taught me how to share my graced darkness and “wounded-ness” with God’s people in the many encounters I have shared with those who are also wounded caregivers. 

In my darkest moments, I realized with great gratitude, it was the love and care of my God and my Sisters which held and carried me in my pain and suffering, my weakness and vulnerability, my tiredness and frustration. It was the many kindnesses of my Sisters – day in and day out – that held me close to God. These Sisters became caregivers for me in the constant daily kindnesses they offered and I experienced… a short note, a call, a prepared dinner for my Dad, an extra shopping turn taken to free up some time for me, an offer to clean my charge in the convent so I could attend a parish meeting and get to bed at a decent hour. 

Cardinal Tagle spoke to the fact that we are all wounded healers and that it is within our “families” that we are healed and become wounded healers for others. For it is only when, through God’s grace, we embrace our own wounds that we can enter into the heart of Jesus and the heart of the world. There, in the heart of the wounded healer, filled with humble gratitude and compassion, we can share in the Mission of Jesus — living and working that all may be one!

Sister Christine Konopelski SSJ 

Sister Christine currently serves as Pastoral Associate at Our Mother of Consolation Parish in Philadelphia, PA. She is passionate about sharing her faith and helping others find God in their life. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking, reading, and painting.

A Witness to Healing

I’ve wanted to be a Sister since I was in second grade. When I reflect on that desire, I recall that I was very much attracted to the sacred places and holy people I met in my young years. The attraction to Jesus – that desire to be God’s – was deeply satisfied on September 8, 1976 when I entered the Sisters of Saint Joseph!

My religious life is filled with meaningful experiences that continue to draw me closer to the Holy. Since 1991, I have been ministering in Camden, New Jersey. Every day, I see poverty, violence and suffering. There are so many people living in despair, darkness and devastation. In August 1995, a young mom came to Holy Name asking for help. Her 13-year-old daughter had been missing for two days. Tragically, her daughter was found brutally murdered the next day. They welcomed me into their home, their family, and their hearts. I had no idea how God would use me for the next fifteen years! As one year led to another, my life, as a Sister of Saint Joseph and as a social worker, allowed me to be with this family during a five year search for the killer and a 10 year wait for justice. The ministry of “companioning” families of murder victims evolved as others sought help with their traumatic loss. As an SSJ, I am given the opportunity to be faithfully attentive to these families who share their suffering. Their grief is very sacred to me. 

Sometimes people say to me “Camden is so dangerous and dealing with murder is so sad. I don’t know how you do it.” I am able to continue ministering to families because I am a witness to healing. With my own eyes, I have seen their resilient spirit restored as they survive the traumatic experience of the murder of someone they love deeply. I have experienced God’s faithfulness to those whose lives are changed forever and in my own life in the sacred place of suffering and loss.

There is a strength that comes from being powerless in the face of human tragedy. That powerlessness has led me to pray. When I tell others I am praying for them, I am always humbled by their relief and gratitude. +Jesus, comfort the suffering and console the brokenhearted. Use us to bring peace and justice in our world. Amen+

Helen Cole SSJ

Sister Helen grew up in Philadelphia. She graduated from John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School. She has taught in Philly, Baltimore, and Camden. She is currently a social worker at Guadalupe Family Services in Camden, NJ.

A Reflection on Surfing

Surfing is something that has always fascinated me. I find it amazing how surfers paddle out, sit quietly on their boards, scan the waves as they form, then pick the one they think is just right and in a burst of energy and grace they move with the wave. Sometimes they stand and attempt to ride the wave, other times they lie flat and allow the wave to run its course.  

 

 At the beach a couple of weeks ago, I watched a young would-be surfer run to the water’s edge with his board. He paused for a minute to survey the water and then in an instant he was in the water paddling with his board. He didn’t go too far out, just far enough to catch some small waves and he lay on his board and let the water bring him in. After doing this a few times he attempted to stand and after a few spills he "got it."  He was determined and he worked at it. What got my attention more than his success at surfing was his falling or being pushed off his board by the force of a wave.  At first he stiffened up when he landed in the water, then he just gracefully allowed the water to take him and it always brought him safely to the surface close to his board.

All of a sudden, I was struck with the realization, "Isn’t this what life and prayer are all about?" We bring our surf board, all we are, our gifts, blessings, to the shore of life. Ahead of us is the immensity of God’s love which we know through prayer and Eucharist will always bring us back to the shore of life. We take in all that surrounds us, look for the perfect wave to ride and allow God’s love to guide us sometimes gracefully, sometimes not so gracefully to exactly the right part of the shore. The trick is not to fight the wave, the water, but like my young surfer allow the water to catch us, hold us. There are very few perfect waves out there. When you find one, enjoy the ride. There is a grace- full -ness in allowing ourselves to fall into God’s love.

Mary Kay Kelley SSJ

Sister Mary Kay teaches Junior Theology at Archbishop Carroll. When there is an opportunity, she also works with Heartful Ministries giving retreats, planning prayer for conferences and writing for Liturgical Training Publications.

To Be a Sister of Saint Joseph Is to Be about Relationships

When I was a student at West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Girls in the 1960's, I recognized that there was something unique about the Sisters of Saint Joseph. They were among seven women religious communities who blessed us, students, each day with their gifts and expertise. What was unique about the SSJ's was their ability to relate to us personally - in the classroom, gymnasium, music corridor, lunchroom, publication offices and on the buses we shared with them on our rides back and forth. They touched my heart and helped to foster my religious vocation.

Now, as a Sister of Saint Joseph, I have the privilege to live each day what I observed as a teenager - a mission of active, inclusive love with its special emphasis on relationships.  We believe that "to be a Sister of Saint Joseph is to be about relationships."  This mission has carried me across boundaries and into the hearts and lives of persons I was privileged to meet through the past 50 years.  Imagine the opportunities I had in cities across this country, meeting persons of different genders, races, cultures, ages, experiences and in classrooms, churches, parish offices, soup kitchens and long-term-care facilities. I discovered new personal gifts; I grew in knowledge, spirituality, and awareness, learning that at our core, we are all one.

Recently, I lived with and shared life with six men and women, all so much younger than I am. We were bonded because we were all united by our experience of surviving a traumatic brain injury. We believed in one another, calling forth confidence and hope. My housemates amazed me with their encouragement and openness to share their stories. Because of them I believe that every day is a day to hope for the very best… to believe our prayers are being heard…to have faith good news is on its way and to know that anything can happen between yesterday and tomorrow.  

 My sister is also a Sister of Saint Joseph. Our parents and five siblings along with their spouses, children and grandchildren marvel at the way their lives have been expanded and enriched by having two sisters who are Sisters of Saint Joseph. It has been a mutual enrichment as we enjoyed being invited into their worlds. They are grateful for the new friends they have met through us along the way and for the abundant ways their worlds have been widened through our experiences. Along with them, I am so grateful for this amazing journey of being in relationship with all people, my new neighbors included, who trust and believe in me and in our mission.

Sister Nancy Roche SSJ

 S. Nancy, in addition to having experienced a wide variety of ministries as a Sister of Saint Joseph, also serves as a facilitator for other religious congregations.