by Terry Curran

On May 1, appropriately the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, I was privileged to attend the installation of the new Associates of the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph (“CSJA”) of Boston. My invitation came from “Heart Beats” editor, Carole Anne Scott who along with Candidate Joyce Barney was making “First Commitment” to become a part of the CSJ community.

The ceremony was held in the newly renovated Holy Family Chapel at the CSJ Motherhouse in Brighton. The sacred worship space reflects the CSJ spirit, charism and mission. As you enter the gathering space, a series of panels depicts the spirituality and history of the Sisters. This leads to a baptismal font with flowing waters that recall everyone’s baptism. The floor is blue terrazzo that leads into the chapel as if it were a wave sweeping the congregation in. It goes to the center where an altar of mahogany and brushed bronze sits. The seating is in an oval pattern, so that everyone worshipping has a direct view of the altar. That evening we gathered with approximately 120 sisters and associates to celebrate the joyous occasion. The gathering song, “We Will Rise,” was sung by the congregation as the procession began led by Rev. Tom Mahoney. A welcome was given to all by Mary L. Murphy, CSJ. Next a Sprinkling Rite, whereby the entire assembly was blessed with holy water, took place. The first reading from Colossians was read by Jo Cushing, CSJA, followed by a Responsorial Psalm, “Center of My Life,” sung by the choir and sisters. The second reading, taken from the CSJ Constitution, was read by Joan Gustin, CSJA. The Gospel according to Matthew was proclaimed by Rev. Mahoney and the Reflection was offered by Marilyn McGoldrick, CSJ, the current director of the Associate program and the recently retired president of Fontbonne Academy, Carole Anne’s alma mater.

The Ritual of Commitment was presided over by Joan Duffy, CSJ, President of the Congregation and Sr. Marilyn. Carole Anne was encouraged to become an associate and was sponsored by her teacher when at Fontbonne and her longtime mentor and friend, Sr. Camella Gambale. Sr. Camella was traveling and thus, unable to attend the ceremony, but Carole Anne was supported by another longtime mentor, Sr. Nanine Tuller, her former art teacher at Fontbonne, who stood with her as she made her first commitment to the Order and another friend, Sr. Rita Morrissey, who participated in the Offertory Procession.

As part of the prayer associated with the rite, Sr. Joan stated, “As people entrusted with the mission of reconciliation, we devote our life and work to realizing the prayer of Christ: ‘...that all may be one with God and one another.’”

The candidates for Associate were then asked by Sr. Joan: “Are you willing to commit yourselves to this mission through an ever-increasing intimacy with God Who is the source and center of our lives, so that, together we may become more attentive to God’s will and love, to the Church and its mission, and to the world and its concerns?”

To which Carole Anne and Joyce Barney replied in unison: “Yes, we desire to be united with you, the Sisters of St. Joseph, in this mission of Reconciliation, for we have experienced the Spirit of the Congregation and we wholeheartedly embrace the charism of Unity and Reconciliation which we strive to live in our daily lives. We ask that the Sisters acknowledge, accept and encourage us in this commitment.”

The response of the Sisters and Associates was: “We support you in your call to live our charism of Unity and Reconciliation and we rejoice in your desire to serve the Lord faithfully in all the moments of your life, by being a sign of God’s reconciling love to all the people whose lives you touch. We promise you our prayers, companionship and love.”

Next all the Associates present at the service stood to renew their commitment and their desire to be united with the Sisters in their mission of unity and reconciliation. They asked that the Sisters “continue to acknowledge, accept and encourage [them] in [their] commitment.”

In the ensuing Memorial Presentation, pairs, comprised of a Sister and an Associate, each brought a rose to a vase before the altar, representing each Associate or Sister participating in the Associate program who had passed away since its inception twenty years ago. While the name of the deceased was read, a chime was sounded and each pair processed to the altar. They filled the vase with roses in many colors, symbolizing how each individual was different, but still part of the same CSJ family. Unfortunately, more than twenty roses were placed into the vase, representing a huge loss for the community.

As the gifts were brought forward, I heard comments around me that these were the hugest hosts anyone had ever seen. I later found out that they are baked by Marianne Miller, CSJA especially for the Sisters. For the Communion reflection the Sisters and Associates read the following verses, which for me summed up their relationship and again clarified the roots and mission of the CSJs.

“We are partners in the mystery of redemption, partners in the mystery of reconciliation, descendants of the lace-makers of LePuy, sharing memories of the past, and a vision of the future. We are partners in the ministry of service, weaving a garment of care for our planet and her people, claiming a mission of unity and reconciliation, living and working that all may be one. Ours is the gift of good company on days when there’s nobody else there besides us. Ours is the gift of affirming the ways of the God Who is working within us. Blessed in the partnership rooted in love, that spills over, spreads over, crosses over everything negative and uninspiring.”

The reflection concluded with the requests: “God of relationships, bless our relationship. Strengthen our partnership, deepen our kinship. Let us be a symbol of your ways of being, a sign of your noncompetitive ways. God of companionship, may we be supportive, may we be effective, bringing to life all the best in one another so that we might help others see good in themselves. We thank You, God, for the gift of partnership in the mission of Jesus, strengthening us to live and work so that all people may be united with God and with one another. Amen.”

The recessional song was, “Digo ‘Si’ Senor,” (“I Say ‘Yes’ My Lord”) which embodies the mission and commitment of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. All of the music was lead by Barbara McHugh, CSJ whose voice could only be described as heavenly. She and the CSJ Chorus, of about 15 sisters and associates, were accompanied by organist, Theresa Donovan, CSJ, formerly Sr. Mary Gerald, who taught at Sacred Heart School.

As we headed downstairs for a collation, I picked out many Sisters who are familiar to me, Sr. Gail Ripley, Sr. Mary Theresa, and Sr. Alice from Sacred Heart School along with Sister Mary Ann Doyle from Casserly House, Sr. Mary Ann Enright from Fontbonne Academy and the CSJ Formation House in the former St. Andrew the Apostle Rectory.

Sitting in the lovely dining room, friends commented that it looked like a great place to retire. I gently informed them that this was where most of the “working” nuns lived; the real retirement home is in Framingham.

Smiling blissfully throughout the entire event, Carole Anne stated, “This is such a joyful day for me. I hope that I’ll be worthy of the trust that the Sisters have placed in me in making me an Associate. I’m thrilled to be an official part of the CSJ community and hope to assist the Sisters in their work for many years to come.”