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My name is Nita Kosokowsky and I am an Associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph, London, Ontario. I have been an associate for almost ten years and our group “Living in Joyful Hope” meets monthly at my home in Kingsville, Ontario. We are an eclectic group of women of varying ages, personalities and backgrounds who come together in faith to share and grow closer to God. I am also the proud wife of Dennis my husband of thirty eight years and we have two married daughters, two wonderful sons in law and four active beautiful grandchildren. My primary ministry has been to my family and I thank God for this precious gift of being a wife, mother and grandmother. I have been involved in my parish as a catechist as well as being a Hospice volunteer in my community for the past six years. My husband and I have been journeying the last four years in the Permanent Diaconate Programme at St. Peter’s Seminary in London, Ontario along with ten others. We just completed our final weekend (bringing the count to 40) and his Ordination (God willing) takes place this Fall, November 3! It has been an overwhelming experience of grace, walking with God and others who share in the vision of “A Future Full of Hope”. Through the Diaconate Programme, Dennis & I began praying the Liturgy of the Hours daily and it has brought a whole new dimension to my prayer life opening me up more to discern God’s will for me and strengthening our Sacrament of marriage. My relationship with the Sisters of St. Joseph has spanned several decades. My first connection began 57 years ago—I was born in London at St. Joseph’s Hospital. We moved to Leamington, Ontario when I was five years old and there I attended elementary school and was taught by the Sisters. Much later in my life a friend of mine who was an Associate, talked with me about her faith sharing group and asked if I would be interested in finding out more. Soon after, a meeting was scheduled with Sr. Kathleen Lichti who at that time was the facilitator of the Kingsville group, and I knew this was where God wanted me. The Sisters of St. Joseph’s charism of loving God and the dear neighbour attracted me and Sister Kathleen’s gentleness, humour and faith (not necessarily in that order) was an inspiration. The social gatherings with the Sisters and Associates over the years have been joyous occasions filled with hospitality that I come away from feeling proud to belong to these women who live their faith and charism so humbly and beautifully. Our monthly meetings are a haven for me to share State of the Heart in a world that often is hectic and shallow. The bond we have developed will last a lifetime! Sharing our joys, sorrows and struggles as well as encouraging one another, has enabled me to step out in faith more than I ever imagined. An example of this is, on our last retreat, a presentation was given by Sr. Cecilia who showed a film on “Grandmothers for Africa” (The Stephen Lewis Foundation charity) depicting a group of grandmothers who were the primary caregivers for their grandchildren since their children had died of HIV aids. Seeing these courageous women in extreme poverty caring not only for their grandchildren but feeding communities as well in a spirit of joy touched me deeply and after prayer and discernment and the support of my fellow Associates I will be starting a new group in Kingsville. I sincerely thank the Sisters and Associates for their unwavering love and support and I look forward to a long and fruitful journey.
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