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There is a saying that life begins at 40. Well I must confess that for me this was so true. That is not to say that my life before the big 4-0 was not eventful. As an only child, I was raised in a strong Catholic family here in the beautiful Ottawa Valley where the Ottawa River is always close. I was married to my kind and gentle husband, Larry, in 1971 and graduated as a registered nurse in 1972. My strength was in hearing people's stories. We have been blessed with 2 sons who are now carving their own lives. In the early 1990's, during my 40 th year I was blessed with a wonderful conversion experience. About 1992 while on my spiritual quest I encountered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Pembroke and have had a growing relationship with them ever since. A day of prayer and reflection at my parish led me to be invited by Sister Marion Muldoon to assist her in facilitating a monthly bible study for senior citizens. Through her I found accommodations with Sister Marie Meilleur in Ottawa while I did pastoral studies at St. Paul 's University. I experienced great hospitality, warmth and support from the Sisters then and continue to do so. At the same time Sister Marjorie FitzPatrick invited me to attend a small faith sharing group and I accepted the invitation. I found the group to be very spiritual, educational and supportive. Little did I know that I was on my way to making a commitment to live the Charism and Spirituality of the Sisters of St. Joseph as an Associate! I soon realized that what I was learning about the Charism and Spirituality of the CSJ's was not something that was foreign to me. It was what was in my own heart and character. I had finally found a place where I was in kinship with my thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and love of God. Active and inclusive love and reconciliation and unity with the dear neighbour resonated from my own being. I had finally found a community where I could melt into, becoming one. It was not like belonging to other organizations where I had to take on more rules, regulations and mission. Because of this I found that I was not overwhelmed with added commitments. What did happen is that I began to be more aware of God's call and Jesus great example. One of my mottos became: “A person is a sacred story.” I made my public commitment in 2001. Throughout the years I have grown in knowledge of non violence, missioning, feminine/masculine connection, the created and Uncreated Trinity and social justice, to name a few. But most importantly I have grown in my relationship with the “Divine Essence” and all that our Creator has blessed us with. Over the years, my involvement in the associate movement has been constant but at times, due to work commitments, I had not been able to be as active as I would have liked. I retired from my ministry as Pastoral Care Coordinator at our local community hospital in January 2007. Since retirement I have taken on the role as contact person for the small faith group, The Weavers of the Creators Dream, that I belong. I sat on a committee to develop an information handbook for new inquirers and the Liturgy Committee for the Associate Conference in September, 2008. Just recently I have been appointed to the Office of Systemic Justice Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada Committee. For the past one and a half years the Sisters of St. Joseph of Pembroke has touched my family in a very personal way by caring for my uncle, Reverend Father Marc Gauthier, in their infirmary until his death in April 2008. My husband and I were truly blessed to be able to get to know the Sisters so personally and intimately. We consider them part of our family. Just as the Sisters showed outstanding warmth and hospitality to our family, we both realize that our ministry is now to do the same to them. Another great blessing for me has been my husband's desire to move to the more by embracing the Associate Movement. As he says; “I am an Associate in training.” He is connected with the Mother St. John group. It is so wonderful to share this part of our lives and spirituality. This is an exciting time in my life as there are so many possibilities. I am in awe of the Mystery of God and my desire is to continue to be open to that Divine Mystery. My prayer is that I allow the Grace of God to enter into my sacred space so that I will be open to the more.
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