Associates Day of Reflection

Written on: March 6, 2025

Submitted by Dr. Patty O’Sullivan Sanders, GNSHA
and Peggy Devaney, GNSHA

On February 1st, 2025, the Intercongregational Associate Directors sponsored a Day of Reflection for Associates. The presenter was Sister Addie Lorraine Walker, SSND, PhD. The attendees included over 100 Associates and Sisters from 9 different religious communities. 11 Grey Nun Associates and 2 Grey Nun Sisters were included in the attendees. Sister Addie’s compelling topic was “For Such a Time As This – Our Hope in Times of Uncertainty: Charism in Action”, and her opening reflection was based on Pope Francis’ Jubilee theme for the “Year of Hope”.

Sister Addie Lorraine Walker, SSND, PhD

Sister Addie asked us to consider — how do we deal with times of uncertainty and put our charism into action? Biblically, the Jubilee Year harkens to a time of renewal and celebration. It is a time to rest for us and for the land. It is a time to set captives free and to forgive. And as we are growing in spirituality, we have the gifts of the spirit and love inside us which is to be given away. We need to learn to allow others to journey with us since we need others on our journey. We are called to empty ourselves. We are called to receive. We are called to create safe places and to bring blessings of love into the day.  God gives us what we need for the journey and we need to choose who we can call to journey with us?

Sister Addie Lorraine left us with several questions to reflect on both in small groups and to continue on our journey each day:

•    What are the gifts we are given to give away? What are the resources I have to give?
•     How do I live what I am being called to?
•     Remember a moment when we felt called by God.
•     How do I see myself as a witness to the Gospel?
•     How do we incorporate living the charism and mission that is a way to witness justice?
•    How do we sustain it?
•    What do you want me to do? This is the question the Lord asked of those who came to him to be healed.
•     Do I go to prayer in these times of uncertainty?
•     Do I let the lord gaze on me?
•     Do I take time to gaze on the Lord?

The day left all with much to pray over and to work on putting into action in our own lives. As the closing song refrain stated, “In this great turning, we shall learn to lead with love.”

This entry was posted in Matters of Faith and tagged: Associate News, Associates Day of Reflection, Dr. Patty O'Sullivan Sanders, GNSHA, Peggy Devaney