St. Joseph, teach us (…)
that we may become ever more docile instruments
of the will of God.
(JMJ – prayer book)
I am from the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth from Philadelphia. Enjoying our charism, we Nazareth Sisters, pray on daily basis to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to “inspire us so to live our community life that we may be a sign to others that Christ has come…” (JMJ – prayer book). Serving families and praying for them is our mission. I have the joy and privilege to share my faith with the students of Nazareth Academy High School as a theology teacher there. It’s an amazing experience to walk with teenagers on their way of becoming Christ’s disciples.
During a pandemic, I was looking for an opportunity to be able to help the sick or the elderly since I am also a former nurse. It was a very special day for me, when I received a message on my phone from Little Servant Sisters of Immaculate Conception, inviting me to help at St. Joseph’s Senior Home in Woodbridge. Each person who I met at St. Joseph gives me an opportunity to be enriched and simply to touch the mystery of God’s presence in daily life. No need to see accomplishment. “There is a time for everything” (Ecclesiastes 3,1). I experienced here a time of being vulnerable with vulnerable, joyful with those who are rejoicing and time of trust in the One who penetrates our hearts.
How grateful I am to the Little Servant Sisters for their invitation to share with them time, community, service, prayer; for giving me an opportunity to be with the Residents and to help here around. Dear Sisters, your dedication but also your joy inspired me greatly. Thank you for creating an atmosphere of home for our dearest Residents.
How grateful I am to the Residents for the time of growing together in God’s love. Your wisdom is hidden in amazing stories, gestures, smiles, struggles, suffering, maybe even in times of confusion. One of you shared with me that, as little as we know about COVID-19, we still can be more than sure, that this virus is not touching at all our God. The way, how it was said, was a powerful proclamation of God’s love which never fails. Trusting in Him “we may become ever more docile instruments of the will of God,” (JMJ – prayer book) we can rest in His holy will.
I would like to conclude my reflection the way, how we Holy Family Sisters, always conclude our prayers:
“Jesus, Mary and Joseph – protect us”; not only during the pandemic of COVID-19 but all the days of our lives.
