“It is not presumption to have hope and joy
and confidence in God’s grace.”

-Venerable Cornelia Connelly

In October 2024, the American Province launched Graced Moments, where every month, a Holy Child Sister shares a “grace-filled” experience that has influenced her life. The project flows from the Society’s mission “to help others to believe that God lives and acts in them and in our world.”

We thank France White, a Sister of the Holy Child Jesus for 60 years, for offering her “graced moment.”

Click the audio player to listen to Sister France read her two-minute
reflection or see below. 

 

Shortly before I made my perpetual vows, I was missioned to teach at Saint Charles School in Portland, Oregon. When I arrived in Portland, the Sisters had arranged for me to stay at my Dad’s home in Portland because my bedroom in the Sisters’ community was being painted.

It was summertime, and an important Society General Chapter meeting was underway, where the Sisters were updating the Society’s constitutions.

One day, I was out of sorts and my Dad asked what was the matter. I replied, “I just wish I knew what obedience is going to mean.”

Without hesitation, Dad replied,

“Do you think your Mother and I knew all that was going to happen when we got married?”

This lesson from Dad was a graced moment for me.

My life’s path was clearly different from his, but it was not unique.

Like every other life, religious life unfolds moment by moment.

I’ve remembered Dad’s words for many years now. They give me the grace of letting matters be or unfold. Dad’s lesson also reminds me that my life isn’t all that different from others.

Remembering his words gives me the added gift of bringing the memory of Mom and Dad into my present moment.

One grace leads to another.

 

What in Sister France’s graced moment resonated with you? Please share below.