My Journey into Ministryby Sharon Sproat, Journey Community, Austin, Texas Way back in 1986, I felt the first calling to Ministry as a Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion and for the past 38 years have been blessed to serve in that capacity in three different cities. That Ministry was not my first calling; I have sung in various choirs and choral groups including liturgical, contemporary, classical, and barbershop over my lifetime starting in elementary school. While some may not be classified as “ministry,” each provided a way to bring joy to others, be it spiritual, emotional, or physical. Music is what speaks to my soul. It is sometimes difficult to read the bible without a song popping up in my head. When I became a Theresian 15 years ago after moving to Austin, Texas, I was looking for spiritual growth. Little did I know how being a part of Journey Community would begin a new shaping of my spiritual life. I had never met a group of women who were so faith filled. There was always some program or book that was asking “what more can you do?” One year I decided for Lent that instead of giving up something I would go outside my comfort zone to do service work. I chose a homeless community called Community First! Village, a village (at that time) of over 200 tiny homes, trailers, and RV’s. I worked in the convenience market on the property that allowed the residents to have access to food and cigarettes. The village has grown to nearly 500 homes in support of the homeless. I volunteered for two years until the pandemic struck and we were unable to serve during that time. As always, when God closes one door, He opens another. I began my journey as a lector both on Sundays and weekdays. I also began singing with the Austin Diocesan Choir which sang for the Chrism Mass, Transitional Diaconate, Permanent Diaconate and Priestly Ordination Masses. And then seven years ago, our Deacon asked me to join the RCIA Team (now known as OCIA) and be a sponsor. That ministry has continued, and I am humbled to have acquired three Godsons and one Goddaughter and have also sponsored three other women. My latest ministry came unexpectedly three years ago when the pastor recommended me to be one of his seven sisters. This ministry, Seven Sisters Apostolate, is a group of seven women each taking one day of the week to pray a holy hour solely for our pastor. I struggled to pray a holy ten minutes (!) but when I asked the pastor why he recommended me, he simply said, “You’re an intercessor.” And so began another ministry. I never know what God is going to call me to next…but with the love and support of my Theresian sisters, I pray I can continue to say “Yes!”
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WHATEVER IS TRUE: A Reflection on the Education Dimensionby Toni Hare, Agape Garden Community, Lafayette, Louisiana As a forty-two-year veteran in the field of education, I have always been a proponent of life-long learning. As a Catholic, I believe also in the importance of living a life which is reflective, discovering the lessons presented to us each day, the decisions made and perhaps, the consequences of our wrong choices. St. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” I propose to you that to confidently know the truth, the purity, the graciousness of the life which has been given to us by our Creator, we must be exposed to quality Christian writings, Scripture, and the deposit of faith. The Theresian experience offers opportunities to develop an informed conscience and allows women to live out their fullest potential. On the Theresian International website the definition of the Education dimension is a “continual formation leading to spiritual maturity.” “An upright and true moral conscience is formed by education and by assimilating the Word of God and the teaching of the Church. It is supported by the gifts of the Holy Spirit and helped by the advice of wise people.” (CCC 1799-1800) When I was a Religion Administrator of a Catholic elementary school, I would tell my students that each of them had a puzzle piece in their heart which showed God’s love in a special way, given only to them. As a child of God, it was their responsibility to show others their puzzle piece by the way they acted and treated others. Only then, when their puzzle piece was joined to those of others, could the world see the entire beauty and love of God. “When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child.” (1 Corinthians 13:11) In the chaos and challenges of life today, a childhood vision of faith would not serve women well. My mother Flossie taught me that it is the woman in the home who teaches love. Women carry the responsibility of teaching their children and loved ones the love and mercy of God. To do this properly, faith formation must continue into adulthood. The Theresian community is a perfect avenue for women to continue to develop a mature and informed knowledge of faith and to share their life lessons, their puzzle piece, in an intimate and profound way. Theresian communities that avail themselves of the wealth of good Christian and Catholic literature, prolific authors such as Scott Hahn, Richard Rohr, Bishop Robert Barron or the numerous Scripture studies available in text or video, allow their members to grow in their faith and knowledge, sharing experiences and lessons of life. Whatever is true to one is valuable to another. In this way, Theresians can live their motto, “Women in support of women, reaching out with Christian values.” |
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