11 Make Consociate Commitments
On Saturday, May 2, 2009, eleven new consociates made their commitments. They are Mary Ann Brenden, Christine Furlong, Ruby Hanson, Therese Hinrichs, Mary Oyiera Lieta (picture), Lisa Gidlow Moriarty, Vicki Musech, Patricia Owen, Nancy Parlin, Kimberly Lowelle Saward, and Joan Pauly Schneider. Each shared her faith journey and her reasons for wanting to be part of the CSJ community, then said the words of the Consociate Commitment Statement:
“I commit myself to live the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates, St. Paul Province, moving always toward profound love of God and neighbor without distinction. I pledge myself to live the vision and values of the community as a consociate within the context of my life and responsibilities."
Excerpts from their commitment statements:
Mary Ann Brenden: I have been a part of the CSJ community since 1980 when I became a faculty member at St. Catherine. A couple of years ago, I realized that I couldn’t imagine my life without an enduring tie with the Sisters of St. Joseph. And so, I am here today to make official what it seems has already been so for some 29 years.
Christine Furlong: The Sisters of St Joseph and consociates seek God in all things, in community, in unity with creation and the beauty of music, poetry and art. I seek God in the ordinary daily efforts of life, as wife and mother. I seek God in the dirt I learned to love in the kitchen garden of my grandmother, and in the amazing unfolding of someone’s story which brings them healing.
Ruby Hanson: What I came to the CSJ community in search of has not changed—a spiritual community in which to grow in love and in understanding, deepen my spiritual practice, discern my charism, and make a greater contribution to issues of peace and justice than I could on my own. I feel a great sense of wellbeing and support generated by a shared sense of commitment and purpose.
Therese Hinrichs: I am grateful for the influence of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet on my life during three years of high school, seven years as a member of the community and for four years teaching with them as a lay teacher. The desire to become a companion on the journey has led me to commit myself to live the CSJ charism and mission.
Mary Oyiera Lieta: I am humbled to find a place in this community. Living in a community (Homa Bay, Kenya) where there are multiple challenges for girls and women...I embrace the chance to be able to give hope where there seems to be none -- to the dear neighbor and other creation.... I have started a new journey on the old paths and can now handle the old challenges with prayerful support from the CSJ’s”.
Lisa Gidlow Moriarty: I have come to recognize how my work in the world, as artist, spiritual companion and labyrinth builder, supporting others on their journey and creating opportunities for spiritual exploration, aligns with the CSJ charism; participating in the Mystery of Transformation as we gather with all of creation and grow together in community, breathing in that communion and breathing out God’s unifying love.
Vicki Musech: As I look back over my life, I can absolutely see God's presence there... I truly believe that God had led me to where God wanted me to be. I think of the many wise and devoted Sisters and Consecrates that I have gotten to know in the CSJ Community. They are people that give so much of what they have to make this world a better home for creation, the dear neighbor, each other and the Church. They are people that seek peace and that reassure me of God's unifying love.
Patricia Owen: Over the course of time and transformation, things like accomplishment and financial security became less important, and living out God’s will—whatever that might be—became more important. I thought: “If I fully take in the fact that our cells are made of stardust formed 15 billion years ago, suffused with the energy of the love of God, how is my life reflecting that?” and, “If I understand that my life is ‘All Gift’, how am I living out of that?”
Nancy Parlin: I am privileged to join Consociates and Sisters committed to deep communion with God, neighbor, creation, church, each other. I have been so impressed with the wonderful, dedicated people who are consociates. Men and women, Catholic, Protestant and other, young and old, previously connected to the Sisters or not at all. Consociates are embedded in their communities with families, networks of friends, important careers and post-retirements activities.
Kimberly Lowelle Saward: Geographically, I live thousands of miles from the centre of this community (Essex, England), but its spirituality reaches to me and through me, encouraging me to let my voice be heard. I have come to appreciate CSJ spirituality as a robust dialogue, authentic, and of the heart. Loving God and neighbor without distinction... the very phrase makes my heart sing because it expresses the open-heartedness, inclusivity, and compassionate justice that I associate with God and, therefore, with all things spiritual.
Joan Pauly Schneider: This community is not perfect. But that’s a really good thing because neither am I - yet here we are with full and willing hearts. In the midst I find others who long for the same things and work lovingly to manifest it in their lives. We don’t know what the future holds for us but like the Black Madonna we are called to embrace all that is holy and stand for compassion and justice.
