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.

The Music in My Heart

The words to Desiderata were on my half of the bedroom wall and the Beach Boys music blared from the car radio. Three thousand girls and I roamed the halls of Prendie. And, my favorite classes were math and science. I went on to college and graduate school as a chemistry major. But, there was this other “thing” that kept poking at my heart.

So, I finished my degrees and I kept listening for God. How did that happen? I know it sounds a little crazy, but the best I can determine is that there were four things:

1.     A good friend who had entered earlier

2.     Mark 10: the Rich Young Man parable (how could he walk away?)

3.     The book, The Great Lion of God (about St. Paul), and

4.     Music from Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar.

And that’s how God speaks to me… even still, even today, through those I encounter, books and most often music. I know now that God drew me to and keeps me with the SSJs because of our charism and mission. But why one enters and why one stays are different and yet similar. I have always been in education and I have always loved it. I wanted others to know the passion I had for chemistry and how it makes the world go round but my first love was classroom teaching.  To show how God works from atom… to Eve… is mind-blowing and to care for the earth and all of creation is awesome!

Thirty-eight of my 40 years of education, have been in SSJ affiliated or sponsored schools. Each is filled with the charism and mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. But, what I have loved most over the years was the interaction I was able to have with the students, teachers, parents, and the dear neighbor I met as teacher and administrator. There were the great times, and the times I felt I needed to be Solomon-the-Wise. I often think back to decisions which may have changed a young person’s life and how I tried my very best to listen with my head and my heart and my God. I did see the face of God in so many eyes and, so often after the encounter, I would hear God’s voice in a special way.

I hear a singing voice in my prayer.  A minstrel follows me, whispers sweet music in the ears of this one who never took a music lesson in her life. I know I am with God who is always there when I hear the song, whatever it may be. It becomes the mantra of my day and my night. It wakes me and puts me to sleep; best of all, it calls me deeper and deeper to a place where I know my God.

            With His melody He NAMES me   

            The WORDS that form my life
            He has called me to be 

I know, “My song will be for you forever, you the music in my heart!”

Sister Kathleen Letts SSJ

Sister Kathleen Letts has spent her ministerial life in education —  as teacher and administrator.  Currently she ministers at Chestnut Hill College.

Eucharist and the Dear Neighbor

"See what you believe... become what you see."  Saint Augustine

As I sat at Eucharist in my parish church, Saint Timothy’s in Philadelphia, I reflected on the meaning of being ONE WITH and the gift of the dear neighbor. Our charism as Sisters of Saint Joseph calls us to be ONE WITH. The inscription in our final vow profession ring reminds us to be “One in Love.”

As I was preparing to celebrate Eucharist, my mind flashed to the row home, a house of welcome and hospitality where I live. It is a sacred space for me because it holds treasured memories of people, events and gatherings both indoors and outdoors. The summer is a special time of gathering with my community of the “dear neighbor.” The garden on my front lawn is one of many opportunities for us to come together and share words, concerns, prayers, time, talent and opportunities for a healthy meal. We care for one another and I feel deep love. 

 For many years in the early spring, John has tilled the soil on the front lawn. PJ tunes up the weed trimmer. Juaquim creates and maintains the fence to protect the garden from the rabbits and squirrels. Christina has a good eye for finding that hidden pepper or squash. Rich fixes the faucet so the hose works properly. I share my lawn mower with the newlywed neighbors who help shovel the snow in the winter. I deliver vegetables to a woman, Cass, who calls to thank me and asks for prayers for her son-in-law who is very sick. I celebrate the noise of little children soaking in the sun in their little pool on the next lawn. I share my umbrella to protect them from the hot rays on a 100° day. Edith and Derek hold a large squash they will take when they visit their family in New Orleans. The phone rings. A neighbor calls to say that two large tomatoes in my garden have ripened and are ready to be picked.  

I am blessed as a Sister of Saint Joseph in many ways. For me the grace of extending my call to be ONE WITH others, the Body of Christ, in a neighborhood with persons who live a very simple life style, who exchange time and talent, people of many ages and cultures is tangible grace at the heart of living Eucharist.

 “If you, therefore, are Christ’s body and members, it is your own mystery that is placed on the Lord’s table! It is your own mystery that you are receiving! You are saying ‘Amen’ to what you are: your response is a personal signature, affirming your faith. When you hear ‘The body of Christ’, you reply ‘Amen.’ Be a member of Christ’s body, then, so that your ‘Amen’ may ring true!”    Saint Augustine Sermon 272

Sister Sharon White SSJ

www.peacefulpartners.com

Sister Sharon is a Doctor of Ministry, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Couple and Family Therapist. Sharon maintains a private practice in Gibbsboro, NJ and travels on a regular basis to minister to those in crisis. Sharon is also a volunteer for the Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania. In this role, she recently accompanied family members who lost a love one at the Amtrak derailment.

My Sister of Saint Joseph Journey

I believe that life is a journey and that in moments of prayer we become aware of how God keeps sending people into our lives to support us on that journey.  

From an early age, I learned to value those moments of silent prayer. Although I felt drawn to the religious life, I didn’t want to answer God’s calling to “Come, follow Me.” Finally, when nearly 21, I prayed, “Lord, I’ll try it.”

In our quiet chapel at Chestnut Hill during my novitiate God won me over. There we had private hours of adoration regularly, and I felt so closely drawn to the One from whom I had been running. Our Directress and other novices supported me in this part of my journey.

For the next 25 years I served as teacher and principal. During daily periods of quiet prayer, I felt so refreshed. Living with many other women with different personalities, I understood more of what being a Sister of Saint Joseph meant. With them I lived our mission of unity as best I could.

When I found that I no longer related to the young, my regional superior invited me to spend a few days with a team of ministry counselors in a Lutheran seminary. Then, our God of surprises led me to respond to a request from one of our Sisters to minister with her in prison for a part of the summer.

 This was not what I had planned! Within minutes of being with my assigned group of prisoners though, I KNEW that I belonged in prison ministry.   Then, and for these many years since, I have had the privilege of sharing God’s love with so many prisoners.  I have experienced some of Jesus’ pain through men and women locked in cages, rejected by society, separated from their loved ones, and struggling to cope in a harsh, inhumane system.  Their prayer and their efforts to live with hope have deepened my own relationship with our loving God.  I am truly blessed and honored to have traveled most of my life’s journey with them.

Sister Dolores Chepiga SSJ

Sister Dolores ministered in education, served as jail minister, prison chaplain, and a pastoral associate who recruited volunteers for nearby correctional facilities. She was also coordinator of prison outreach for the archdiocese of Baltimore and is now a volunteer in parish and prison ministry. She is an advocate for abolition of the death penalty and author of unpublished mini-book on Restorative Justice.

All for God's Glory

One lovely summer evening I was walking alone along a quiet street in Sea Isle when I heard a bird “speaking” to me. The sounds were loud and clear, almost melodious. When I looked around I saw a beautiful red bird sitting on a wire above me continuously repeating its song. As I stood there looking up, the red bird flew to a higher level and continued with the performance.  After a few minutes the bird left me but I continued to wonder what the message could be now. 

Usually when I notice the flowers or when birds get my attention, they remind me to contemplate the lilies of the field and the birds of the air and to recognize once again how God cares for them even when they do nothing. This has happened frequently in unusual ways through the years. Did you ever have a bird peck on your window when you were trying to write a eulogy for someone very close to you?  Do you ever notice a bird touching down on your windshield, ever so lightly, as you drive to ministry or home again? In these moments God’s message to me is usually the same—do not worry, do all for God’s glory and God will take care of the rest. 

When we pray together in community, we often use the Canticle of Daniel, which invites not only the birds but all of creation, including ourselves, to give praise and glory to God. A few verses get my special attention:

            Let the birds of the air,
            animals wild and tame,
            together with all living creatures
            praise and exalt God above all forever.    

When I was in Africa a few years ago, I enjoyed an exciting adventure to Mikumi National Park in Tanzania where a multitude of varied species roamed in their natural habitats. Giraffes welcomed us along the road as we approached the park, and lions lay quietly under a tree while we took their pictures. On another occasion, I visited the elephant orphanage and fed a giraffe in the Giraffe Park in Kenya. These experiences broadened my perspective on “animals wild and tame” praising God.

After more reflection on my experience with the red bird singing on the wires, I believe God is inviting me to notice more readily how the birds, animals and all living creatures give praise and glory to God. I am invited anew to join in the celebration!

At the conclusion of his recent Encyclical, Laudato Si, Pope Francis proposes two prayers that invite us to commit ourselves to all of creation. I feel genuine resonance with the line from the Christian prayer: “Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined to everything that is.” It echoes the melody in my heart.

Sister Kathryn Miller SSJ

Sister Kathryn is Assistant to the President for Administration and Special Projects at Chestnut Hill College as well as Secretary to the Board of Directors.  She also serves on the Board of the African Sisters Education Collaborative.