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An Associate's Thoughts
by Patricia Williams
How I live the Charism in my ordinary everyday life.
My family has been on a shared journey with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Annecy for over sixty years, during which time I, my sisters, cousins, nieces and nephews (for their primary education) were educated by the Sisters.
The word Charism was not very familiar to me before I became an Associate, but I did recognise a significant sentiment in the Associates' Handbook: "We live and work so that all people may be united with God and with one another."
On reading this my thoughts naturally turned to my school days and the many sisters who taught me and the example they gave, especially the importance of daily prayer and the central place of the Eucharist in our lives as Catholic Christians.
We learned too, the value of silence through Retreats, Processions and Benediction; that academic success was not the only goal in life and the importance of always doing one's best. One thought that stayed with me: "Speak to and treat others as you would want others to speak to and treat your parents".
I took these lessons to my work place where they influenced my actions, for example:
- The importance of educating the whole child stayed with me during battles with politicians to ensure that Religious Education remained part of the Curriculum in State Schools.
- As a teacher and Deputy Headteacher in Catholic Primary Schools and as Headteacher of a large multi-racial State Primary School, where Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and those of no faith formed part of the school community the words "love, care and respect" were significant.
- "Respect for difference" became part of our school Mission Statement. It led to an ethos in which the children themselves suggested that the words "We all live together in Riverside" should be included in the design of a large permanent mural representing aspects of their lives and the community in which they lived.
As an Associate I have come to an understanding of the word "Charism" and to a deepening of my spiritual life. I have never found prayer easy but now look more actively to be open to the Word of God.
My concern is for future generations - the children, the teenagers, the young people, who are searching for truth and meaning in life.
I believe the challenge today for the Sisters and Associates is the same:
How can we support the next generation both spiritually and temporally in meaningful and practical ways to be "open to God's presence in their own lives and live out that presence by their way of being and acting towards others,thus bringing about union with God and neighbour."