Where I'm From

Mother Saint John Fournier

Where I’m From

I’m from the Sisters of Saint Joseph—
women like Marguerite Burdier, Julie
Fournier, Alice Anita Murphy and Win
Grelis—women of grace, courage, 

talent, and humility

Humble because they knew their truth,

felt the earth beneath them and saw the stars above

Sister Win Grelis

I’m from women who are teachers,
nurses, social workers, spiritual guides,
generalists and specialists, sister-
companions at the margins of life and
at the centers

They’re the “you-can-do-it, you-can-be-
it, we’re-always-with-you” crowd

The ones at the end of the finish line no
matter what my time

I’m from the storytellers, the lace
makers, the ones who are perfectly
imperfect, the ones who know God’s
unconditional love, even in times of
doubt

I’m from the quiet and the raucous,
 the listeners and the talkers

I’m from the faithful ones who fall off or
get knocked down and get up again; the
ones who taught me not to take myself
so seriously, who were with me when I
laughed and when I cried

From the ones who learned how to bend,
how to be more open, more loving, more
forgiving, the ones who have taught me
the same and shared the way of the heart

They are women who search out
connections with “every neighbor
without distinction,” women who have
embraced mission with renewed passion
and energy

These are the women who build
relationships and try to lace them
together when they fray

Yes, I’m from all of them

                        —Roberta Archibald SSJ

Animated by “Where I’m From” by  George Ella Lyon

Sister Roberta Archibald SSJ works with an amazing team of student-faculty writing tutors at Chestnut Hill College. She also serves as Archival Associate for the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia. If you are interested in the founding stories of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Sister Roberta will be happy to arrange a tour of the SSJ Heritage Area for you and your friends. Check your calendar and call for a visit @ 215-248-7270.