Accompanied by Sisters on my Spiritual Journey

"I had never belonged to a group that meets regularly to enrich each other's spiritual lives"

Cardinal John Henry Newman

The Invitation

In 1999, I realized that I needed to find a life outside home and work. After a full day's work, regular housework, and looking after my mother who needs full-time care, I was experiencing burnout.

At a Sunday mass in May, Sister Grace Sauvé invited the parishioners of Epiphany of Our Lord parish to an open house at their Eagle Point residence. Upon my arrival, several Sisters of St. Joseph welcomed me and before I left, Sister Grace invited me to join the CSJ Galilee Associate community in September. I told Sister Grace that I would think about it.

In August, Divinia (now Sister Divinia Pedro CSJ) joined our company and we worked in the same department. During one of our conversations, I discovered that she was a CSJ Associate with the Galilee Community. She encouraged me to join and suggested we attend the monthly meetings together.

When friends ask me now how I became a CSJ Associate, I would start by saying that it was thru Divine Grace.

The Journey

My journey as a CSJ Associate started in September 1999. Since I had converted from Buddhism to become a Catholic in 1975, I had never belonged to a group that meets regularly to enrich each other's spiritual lives: it is like being part of an extended family.

Finding my vocation

During my monthly spiritual direction with Sister Grace, she introduced me to a different form of consecrated life - the Consecrated Life of Virginity for Women Living in the World. Within the hour, I knew that I have found my vocation and I made my commitment on June 28, 2008.

The journey continues

In September 2008, Sister Grace Sauvé invited me to join the third group of the two-year Leadership Training Program for CSJ Associates.

In September 2009, I accepted the role of coordinator of the Galilee Associate Community. It is a challenging role with a lot of responsibilities. As I look back to all these years, I am filled with deep gratitude that our Lord has blessed me to be a CSJ Associate, and to be nurtured, guided and inspired by the Sisters of St. Joseph and by my fellow Associates.