Meet Barbara Lusher, London Associate
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Barbara Lusher
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My name is Barbara Lusher. I was born in St. Thomas and have lived here for all but one year of my life. My husband Rob and I have three wonderful children who are all married, and have given us five delightful grandchildren. I was raised in the United Church were I attended Sunday School regularly, sang in the choir, and was a member of Explorers and CGIT.
When I was a young child, I started taking piano lessons at the St. Joseph Convent from Sister Victoria Butterfield. She was my first contact with a Catholic person. I loved the gentleness and kindness that were shown to me right from the first day. Before music exams, she would take me to the upper floor of the convent to pray in the chapel. This was always followed by a glass of Vernors ginger ale. I will never forget that wonderful Sister of St. Joseph who made such a great impression on me. I converted to the Catholic faith in 1968. I was the organist at Holy Angels Church and felt that as it was the only church that I was attending, I should become a part of it. I must admit that there was no great spiritual revelation in my decision to convert. I made a Cursillo weekend in 1990 and that is when I was awakened with the desire to become more active in my faith journey.
In 1998 Sister Mary Boere asked if I would like to come to a meeting with women from Holy Angels and St. Anne’s Churches to form an Associates Group. Under the direction of Sister Doreen Kraemer, our group, Earthen Vessels, has been gifted with her gentle guidance. We made our commitment in 2000. We meet on the first Monday of every month, except for July and August, with each of us taking a turn preparing and leading the gathering. Most of our members attend the Fall Retreat at Oxley. Because of family needs and playing for Mass on Saturday evening and Sunday morning, I have only been able to go to Oxley once, but I am hoping that I will be able to get away for the Spring Retreat.
It has been a great gift to be included in our Associates Group. My desire is to be more aware of the needs of the dear neighbour wherever that neighbour is. I am especially in drawn to the seniors in their need to be loved and often just listened to. I am regularly invited to provide the music for various nursing home church services. I feel that our link with the Sisters of St. Joseph has provided me with the courage and eagerness to open myself to the Holy Spirit working in and through me. I thank God for the wonderful women who share this faith journey with me. Our sharing and support of each other in times of joy and sorrow and difficulty has formed us into a loving family. I am truly blessed!
I strongly concur with the David Hass hymn We Are Called. The words to the chorus speak to me:
We are called to act with justice
We are called to love tenderly
We are called to serve one another
To walk humbly with God.
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