Sisters' Stories

My first encounter with the Sisters of St. Joseph occurred as I entered St. James Grammar School in Albany, NY. Picture a young child, anxious and excited to begin studying, greeted by a smiling young Sister of St. Joseph. Her joy and love of learning rubbed off into my soul. We learned the three Rs, but, more importantly, the Sisters taught us to pray, to worship as a community and to give generously in service to the dear neighbor. Their robust enthusiasm in the classroom was matched by their infectious laughter on the playground and their steadfast presence in the neighborhood. At the grocery store, the ball park, the dentist, the movie theater, the hospital, the wake - everywhere we went - they were there too.

 

This energized group of Sisters: Marilyn Vassallo, Maureen D'Onofrio, Sharon Whellahan, Mary Jacinta Flanagan, Joan Killoran, Lois Marie Sivero, Mary Rosita, Judy Mazza, Maureen Mara and Teresa Siary, formed and shaped my foundational understanding of the CSJs. I can recall that, when I was a child, Sister Jean Albert, a friend of my parents from high school, was a great whiffle-ball player. Often, she would walk over to the house for a visit on Sunday afternoon with another Sister. The Sisters and priests were regular people in normal clothes whose lives revolved around the Church. Sunday Mass in our parish was like a big reunion for every one knew each other, and it was true: if you got in trouble your parents did know before you ever set foot in the front door at home! This neighborhood enclave with a rich Catholic sub-culture was a wonderful place to grow up.

 

Entering Cardinal McCloskey High School, I was introduced to Sister Andrew Joseph. Her appearance in the traditional black habit scared me at first, but the lilt in her voice reassured me that she was like the other CSJs that I knew from my parish. Having recently experienced the death of my beloved Mom, Andrew Joseph took me under her wing. Our little chats and her presence at my sporting events became a regular part of my adolescent journey. Little did I know that her presence would become a wellspring of wisdom and delight throughout my life. Retreat days were spent with Sisters Maureen and Monica Murphy enjoying the beauty of the Adirondacks at Pyramid Life Center. During this period I searched for a deeper relationship with God.

 

Graduating with honors, I headed west to LeMoyne College in Syracuse NY. Here, free from the responsibilities of home, I flourished in a liberal-arts education, rooted in the Jesuit tradition, while reveling in the camaraderie of playing varsity sports. Graced with friends of the heart and a base Christian community, I grew in wisdom and grace guided by the Spirit. Ignatian spirituality, service to the poor and love for sacred Scripture captured my imagination and fed my inner hunger. I learned about the plight of the poor and the Gospel's call for liberation. Inspired by Jesuits Bosch, Berrigan and Blazckek and CSJ community activists Sisters Barbara Ginter and Lee Connolly, I participated in marches and community-action programs.

 

Upon graduation, I settled in Syracuse and began my career in public education as a certified teacher of American History. Working on my master's degree at Cortland State, playing sports with the city recreational department and coaching girls sports kept me busy. With permanent NYS certification in hand, I jumped ship to the Catholic schools system while pursuing graduate work in addictions counseling at Syracuse University. I worked as a substance-abuse counselor and coach during the summer months to supplement my income and to cover the cost of my voracious reading habit. Living in a lay Christian community, active in my parish and working as a teacher was a full life, but I continued to be restless. Longing for something or some ONE to fill this inner void, I headed off to the Catholic "Mecca" of Notre Dame for theology studies. During this time period the "Hound of Heaven" beckoned, and I entered the Sisters of St. Joseph with an attitude of getting this "call" out of my system.

Twenty-three years later, I still find myself in love with this Jesus of Nazareth and his invitation to be in right relationships and communion with all. Today, as teacher of sacred Scriptures, I bring the Gospel message to life through stories, DVD clips, music and service projects. The adventure of teaching is changing as I mend hearts torn by divorce or abuse, cry with teenagers asking questions such as: Why did my friend commit suicide? Or why did my sibling die in the Iraqi war? I minister to gay-lesbian young adults who feel rejected by the Church. I sit with parents awaiting the drug assessment on their son/daughter. I visit injured athletes in the hospital, lost sheep in the county jail on drug charges, and I mentor new teachers.

 

I am a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet, and I stand on the shoulders of the valiant women who have gone before me. These courageous women have remembered and passed on the sacred story of Jesus of Nazareth. He loved all without distinction, surrendering his body on the cross for the coming of God's kingdom on earth. As a Sister of St Joseph, I stand as a prophetic witness to the power of inclusive love, rooted in Jesus Christ for the life of the world. In my ministry, I birth a new generation of global Catholic leaders ready to transform the Church into what it is called to be for this time in history.

 

As a realist, I know that our numbers are diminishing; yet our charism is sorely needed in our Church and world. Consciously, I choose to invest in our CSJ Associates, men and women of faith, living our charism. We gather monthly to share our hearts, to break the bread of our lives and to nourish one another with loving friendship as companions on this holy journey. Weekends of retreat allow us the time to nourish our deep bonds of affection and dedication to Gospel values. Our CSJ Associates engage in a variety of ministries in our local parishes, spreading the faith, welcoming the dear neighbor and inviting the people of God to be the Church today. Our charism is alive and well, dwelling within and among our CSJ Associates.

 

The institutional Church is undergoing a phenomenal transformation as the number of ordained ministers shrinks, and parish closings become a reality. As a Sister of St Joseph, I respond with HOPE by telling the stories of our early Christian communities where men and women, married and single, Gentile and Jew, served together. The early Christians decided issues under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as in the Council of Jerusalem.

 

All work and no play can dull one to the marvels of God, so I enjoy a lively political debate, competitive sporting events, music-theater that moves the soul, a challenging book, and walks at Beaver Lake Nature Center. Sharing a meal with friends while engaging in conversation of the heart and retreat times at the Weston Priory keep me centered while my family and close friends keep me grounded in reality.

 

As a woman of the Church, rooted in our CSJ charism and rich traditions, I educate future leaders by sharing knowledge anchored in the heart of Love. The day draws to a close, and I return to the sacred silence and the presence of my Beloved while praying this song from the Benedictine Monks of Weston: