Charlene Favreau, CSJ, with some students at Immaculate Conception School in Lowell, MA

From a little MORE…

Sister Spotlight: Hope Unbroken

Charlene Favreau, CSJ

What is the stream of unbroken hope that has been passed on to me? From the very beginning of my life in our CSJ community, I have experienced an unbroken line of inspiration and a call to commitment spelled out in our Constitutions, our charism, the gospel, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. This unbroken hope is enfleshed each day in my sisters, associates, agrégées and our partners in mission.

What a gift to be given this legacy. I want to run with it and celebrate our call to serve the dear neighbor without distinction! Whether living in an intercommunity setting, teaching, coaching sports, serving as a principal, a director of admissions and student activities, bringing communion to a neighbor, listening to another in spiritual direction, teaching Zentangle, or cooking a few good meals, it’s all about sharing in and continuing that unbroken line of inspiration and a call to commitment.

How do you turn into a sister?

Some years ago, a first grader asked me, “How do you turn into a sister?” I remember saying to her, “Well, you ask God to guide you to become your best self, whether it is to be a mom, an aunt, a sister etc. You listen to the whisperings of God and then you trust your heart.” She thought for a bit and then tugged on my elbow and said, “I am starting to turn.”

This “turning” so rightly names, for me, the “saveur” of being a Sister of St. Joseph. By our presence we witness to the great love of God for all and believe that relationship is at the heart of mission.

Most of our students don’t become sisters. That’s not our goal here. Our mission is to spread our charism, and so when we receive feedback from our former students, it’s an absolute joy. In the note below, Kim expresses the impact my teaching had on them…

You Made Me Feel Safe, Seen, and Valued
A note from former student Kim Spurling-Matvichuk

Hello Sister,

I want you to know that I have such fond memories of you. I know that you have had so many students over the last 50 years, and it’s hard to remember them all, but you were my favorite teacher. I was so afraid in first grade, but when I went to second grade, you rescued me, and made me feel safe, seen, and valued. You made such a difference in my life not only academically, but emotionally and personally. A favorite memory I have is when you invited me to see your Christmas tree at the convent. You gave me an angel ornament.

I am going to be 60 in December. I have been married for 33 years. Currently, I am the planning manager at the Puritan Lawn Cemetery, a job I have had for 25 years. I just want you to know that you made a wonderful impression in a young girl. Thank you for being that kind of teacher…The kind every child deserves and never forgets.

Left to right: Kim Spurling-Matvichuk with Charlene Favreau, CSJ

Last spring, one of my elder sisters was touched by the writing of a first grader. His mom is a firefighter and his dad a police officer. To their surprise their young man wrote the following:

I want to be a garbage man so I can make the world a better place. With less garbage the world would be cleaner for God. God worked so hard making the world. I want to help keep it clean. I would like other people to help so we can keep it clean together.

– Jayden Rivera

While reading Jayden’s story, this elder sister was moved to tears. After some time, she felt compelled to respond to him. This is what she wrote:

Dear Jayden,

I would like to be a garbage person like you so we can help keep the world clean together. It’s true with what you said: “With less trash the world would be cleaner for God.

I don’t have much strength to pick up trash along the side of the road or to clean up a camp site before I leave. I’m a very old woman now… However I think I can help you, a very young man, just the same. I’m sure, in fact, that we can work together. I’m willing to follow your lead.

I can help clean things up by picking up the trash I sometimes trip on in my own heart, or the ones that my ears pick up being thrown around me in words now and then along the way of my day. I can make sure that, with you, I put all that trash, too, in God’s big garbage can… the one Jesus calls “Mercy”.

I am with you, Jayden… Count me in! I heard your call for others to help you. I want to be a garbage person like you. Hearts and hands together, we can put every bit of trash we find in that big Mercy garbage can. Everything ends up recycled there and becomes something really great… And the whole world really, really gets cleaner for God.

– An anonymous sister

Although the woman requested to be anonymous, I think it is well to point out that the charism continues with ripples that can start from the lips of young children and move us all to respond.

And so the legacy continues to live in you and me. It’s a ride well worth taking! Welcome to the family of Joseph.