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Working with Sr. Dorothy Dwyer CSJ and my introduction to the Associates of the Sisters of St. JosephSr. Dorothy and I worked as nurses doing discharge planning for patients who needed rehabilitation, nursing home or chronic care. After many talks together, Sr. Dorothy mentioned that the Sisters of St. Joseph were thinking of starting a group and that she would let me know when she heard anything more. In March 1981 Sr. Dorothy invited me to join Sr. Virginia Varley CSJ and Sr. Anne Marie Carey CSJ to form a new group of persons looking for “something more” in our spiritual life. This echoed the vision of Fr. Jean Pierre Medaille, founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Out of this group Bill and Edythe Rutledge, their son John, Rosann McInroy and I, along with Sr. Virginia and Sr. Anne Marie formed the first “Co-member” group: Matt Talbot. Later on our name was changed to Matt Talbot Associate group. Sr. Dorothy inspired me and had a hand in changing my life. I will always be grateful to her and God for getting me into the Associate way of life. About our Group- Matt TalbotWeeks after our first Commitment in 1982 we were saddened by the death of Rosann McInroy a very vibrant young woman who worked with children at Covenant House. As years passed we had many other people join and leave our group for various reasons. Bill Rutledge died after being with us for many years. He certainly brought Jesus to us and the people he worked with at Matt Talbot House as their Director. He worked with Fernando Garcia and Robert Rodburne, both of whom have become Associates in our Matt Talbot Group. Marlies Garcia, Shirley Campbell (now at Providence Hospital), Connie Heberlein and Lois Thomson are but a few of the members we have/ have had with us. Several of our members are living with life altering illnesses at this time. We support each other through prayer, our monthly meetings and ongoing contact throughout the months. We used to meet in the Matt Talbot House Homes on Carlton and Gerrard Streets and then at the Mustard Seed. We now meet in each other’s homes in order to meet the physical challenges that some of us are experiencing at this time. Another advantage of meeting in each other’s home is that we have supper together as part of our monthly meetings. Being a part of the Sisters of St. Joseph has been a profound experience. The Sisters and Associates have supported me through the life changing illness that I was diagnosed with in 1989. They have helped me get through tough days at home alone for over 2 years while in severe pain 24 hours a day. They have helped me to cope with a return to work and eventually leaving work in 1997 on long term disability. They were with me during the time I looked after my Mom in Midland and on and on. I have had the privilege of being a part of the Followers of Jesus prayer group at Mustard Seed. How have these wonderful people helped you ask? They have supported me with prayers from Associate Members, the Sisters of St. Joseph Congregation and individual sisters. They also support me emotionally and mentally (Sr. Catherine MacDonald and I play scrabble which helps to maintain my mental acuity). Going to wakes at Morrow Park has been a great blessing for me. The wakes are a Celebration of Life. I go away renewed in my faith and the life process of dying. I have certainly received MORE “Something More” than I could have ever imagined. Because I have been supported in so many ways I have been able to help others. When I was working as a Discharge Planning Co-coordinator at St. Michael’s Hospital I was able to advocate for the patients and their families. Advocating for my patients resulted in better care and sometimes it meant that they stayed in hospital a little longer. It was difficult to advocate for patients especially when families or staff wanted the patient to go to long term care and the patient did not want to go. To me the patient came first. As long as the Sisters of St. Joseph owned and managed St. Michael’s Hospital it was evident that patient care came first. Knowing that the Sisters would back me as well as my boss Mr. Les White made my time at St. Michael’s a rewarding experience. This is the 3rd time that I have been a co- coordinator of my group. This is a great opportunity as it has allowed me to become closer to the work of the Sisters. This is especially important this time, as Sr. Theresa Rogers CSJ our Sister coordinator is on the Congregation Leadership Team. I have helped to arrange the first conference at St. Joseph’s College ( God’s way of weaving our lives). This was a wonderful experience. Having retreats at Invermara was always a special time to get closer to God and our dear neighbor. At this time of my life I am on the Board of Directors in my Co-op Housing. I do this in part to convince myself that I am still able to do this kind of work. I find it very taxing mentally and physically as I have problems with my memory and experience pain when I need to sit for extended times. I am also the Chairperson for the Outreach Committee at the co-op. The Outreach Committee distributes money to agencies in our area that demonstrate co-operative principles or as the Sisters would say : “help the dear neighbor”. Matt Talbot and St. Paul’s Breakfast Club have been 2 of the recipients of money from this fund and St. Paul’s food bank has received food from the food drives that our committee organizes. In May of 2007 I will make my 25th recommitment to the Sisters of St. Joseph to walk with them and our Associates in my life journey with God. I have been blessed. I have discovered that with God, there is always “something more”. I look forward to the rest of my life in this community. Thank You for helping me to be there for the dear neighbour.
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