Fall Formation Deepens Understanding of the Charism

This year’s Peace Ministries Fall Formation focused on being carriers of the charism for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. About 50 senior leaders and board members from the sponsored ministries, St. Michael Villa and the Congregation gathered for a day of reflection on November 13 at the Marriott at Glenpointe in Teaneck. The theme for this year’s program was “Our Charism: A Light in the Darkness.”

The day opened with a welcome and prayer led by Peace Ministries Executive Director Maureen Donohue and Mission Integration Director Colleen O’Brien. The keynote speaker was Sister Sheila Lemieux, who is the Congregation Director of Formation and a former Congregation Leader. Her presentation consisted of three parts throughout the day.

In part one, Sister Sheila explained what charism is. She said it’s best understood as the vision of the Congregation’s founders, a spiritual gift given for the service of the world. The charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace (CSJP) is Peace through Justice.

Part two of Sister Sheila’s presentation expanded on the charism of the Congregation and how it’s not a static reality. “As an organization grows and develops, an original charism grows and develops in understanding, consciousness and articulation,” Sister Sheila said. So, while the values of the Congregation have always remained, they have adapted to respond to the needs of the times. 

The third and final part of her presentation showed how the charism must be instilled in real people to thrive. It cannot be held tightly by the sisters but needs to be shared with lay people to continue the mission and legacy of the Congregation.

Between each presentation, there was time for reflection and large group sharing. Participants also heard from two panels of ministry leaders. The first one consisted of Peace Care St. Ann’s Director of Nursing Elizabeth Rata; Holy Name Chief Medical Officer Dr. Vasantha Kondamudi; York Street Project Director of Housing and Support Services Shakila Ali; St. Joseph’s School for the Blind Facilities Manager Brandon Horton; and Waterspirit Public Policy and Justice Organizer Rachel Dawn Davis. They discussed what it means to them to be entrusted as a carrier of the charism—how they are inspired as well as how they are challenged.

Brandon said it’s an honor and a responsibility he doesn’t take lightly. “For me, it means making every space accessible to the multiple challenges of disabilities we see walk in the door every day. To restore some of that dignity in the students and clients we serve is how I carry out the charism,” he said.

Dr. Kondamudi echoed that sentiment, saying it’s a privilege to carry on the mission. “I’m honored to serve our patients and community with tenderness and compassion, and to train the next generation of physicians with the same values.”

The second group of panelists included Congregation Director of Peace through Justice Marselys Lucero, Congregation Chief Financial Officer Melody Maravillas, and Holy Name Executive Vice President of Operations Steve Mosser. They each focused on how their work, on behalf of the Congregation, is an expression of the charism in action, particularly when addressing global injustices, and how they keep the mission and charism at the forefront.

“I collaborate with the (Congregation) Leadership Team to respond in corporate statements, to educate, and to keep the Congregation abreast of different issues,” Marselys said. “And I also challenge sisters and associates, our friends in mission, to address injustices in new ways and to listen to the Congregation.”

“When CSJP made a Chapter commitment to be who we say we are, I really took that as a call to authenticity,” said Melody. “What that means is really looking at ourselves and all areas, including our financial operations, to make sure we are a genuine reflection of who CSJP is and its mission of promoting Peace through Justice.”

Separately, a new formation initiative called Moments of Grace was introduced by Colleen O’Brien. This program invites people to take a moment to reflect on a grace in their life—a moment of calm or an experience that feels like a gift. Examples include a conversation with a patient, receiving an encouraging note from a colleague, or exchanging a smile with a stranger. 

Fall Formation ended with a missioning ceremony. Each participant received a blessing and a coin containing the core values as they committed to being carriers of the charism at their respective ministries.

To view more photos from the event, click here.