Meet an Associate

My faith journey began at birth joining as the youngest of our large Irish Catholic Family. Involvement in church was a given and a ritual that was held sacred in our family, along with prayers before meals and at bedtime. We also said the rosary during Lent and whenever we travelled on a family trip, the rosary was said driving Highway 108 going out of Elliot Lake to pray for a safe trip and said on the way home in thanksgiving for the safe journey. My role models of faith were my paternal grandmother that walked to mass each morning and my parents, particularly my father. He up to the age of 89 would struggle to get down on his knees and up again but would never fail to say his nightly prayers. He would then get into bed and join hands with my mother to say the Our Father and the Glory be to God and give thanks for the day. I was gifted to witness this.
 
During my teenage years, I was involved in a youth spiritual group and also travelled extensively with the leadership of Tony Martin. The stories and memories that are held within the soul are based on these rich life experiences.
 
This is not to say that my life has not seen struggle and the dark days when I thought God had abandoned me in my pain and despair. This has been particularly true as I have grappled through some personal health issues. Also, I struggled to find the meaning behind my husband’s motor vehicle accident, where he broke his neck and back and now lives with chronic pain and has never been able to work. However, once we processed the trauma that had so drastically impacted our lives, we were able to look at the gifts. As a family, we had to the privilege of having a stay-at-home dad that was totally available to our two daughters’ needs and supported my hectic career as a community college professor. God really had a plan and was there with us.
 
My own faith journey was enriched by my involvement with small group programs and extended week-long silent retreats offered through Shalom Place. I also began seeing a spiritual director monthly and have incorporated this into my faith journey practice for many years. Through my involvement with Shalom Place, my spiritual director at the time, Sister Stephanie Romiti, invited me to explore making a commitment to the Associates of the Sisters of Ste. Joseph.
 
I explored the Associates calling for two years (from 2012 to 2014) and then I made my commitment June 2014 and the yearly commitment to the Associates since. To say that my association with this group has been life-altering would be an understatement. I have gravitated to the people and the charisms of unity and reconciliation and the care of the dear neighbour. The monthly gatherings are something that I look forward to because it refreshes and deepens by personal faith. I participate to enrich my own faith journey and I have learned so much through hearing the stories of other Associates and Sisters. There is a strong feeling of not being alone. Through my involvement with the Associates, I was able to join a faith sharing group where I am able to be truly myself. This support also continues with the monthly sessions of spiritual companionship that I have through Shalom Place with Susan Fabbraro, a fellow Associate.
 
Being an Associate is to be in a community that is supportive and encouraging of one another without judgment. I try to live out the charisms of unity and reconciliation in my work through encouraging future Early Childhood Educators to treat the children and the families that they serve with dignity and respect. I also am an active member of the Zonta Club - an international organization that provides advocacy and service to women locally and globally. Through involvement with the club service projects, I have been able to continue to enhance the charisms of the Associates.
 
I encourage others to consider enhancing their faith journey by embracing involvement with the community of Associates.
 
Lorna Connolly Beattie