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| Patty and Justine |
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| Sr. Justine outside St Athanasius Convent |
On August 1, 2014, eleven sisters at St Athanasius Convent
in Brooklyn, New York became an even dozen as they welcomed Sr. Justine
Senapati into their community and their hearts.
Sr. Justine, an Annecy sister from India, is the new Representative of
the Congregations of St Joseph at the United Nations Non-Governmental
Organization.
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| Sr. Justine outside St Athanasius Convent |
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| Justine and Betty |
In early September, I came for my first on-site visit and it
was obvious that Justine and the St Athanasius sisters were meant to be
together. The easy give and take, gentle
teasing about Justine's preference for spicy food, and helpful advice has
helped Justine make a smooth transition into her new position. Whether it is a formal meal or just picking
up breakfast, meaningful conversation occurs.
Justine noted that coming from a
large family and larger local communities in India, she really appreciates
having other sisters around with whom to talk.
She has obviously picked up the rhythm of the house and fits right in.
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| Mass in the community chapel |
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| Enjoying Indian food with the CSJ-UN-NGO staff, from left to right, Srs. Marianne, Justine and Barbara |
She has met Indian nationals in the parish too who have
welcomed her to their home for a meal and speak with her after Sunday
mass. The sisters keep introducing her
to other people they know who have a national origin of India such as doctors
and priests. During my visit we went to
an Indian Restaurant twice for lunch.
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| Sr Justine really enjoys this peaceful oasis in the middle of Brooklyn |
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| Joining with the other sisters in cleaning up after a birthday celebration |
St Athanasius is a very nice convent with a spacious
community room, large kitchen with heavy duty appliances (with 12 that is
needed), smaller parlors for visiting, a chapel, a small but lovely walled in
outdoor space, and large dining room.
Justine has commented to me how important it is for her to be in touch
with the earth, so having this small outdoor space in the middle of Brooklyn
where she can see flowers and trees is very important.
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| Justine's spacious bedroom |
Justine has a large bedroom with an attached bathroom. As I knocked on her bedroom door I could hear
Indian music playing in the background.
The sisters at St Athanasius really appreciate what Justine shares
about her native country, their customs, foods (she tones down the spices for
the sisters), and her congregation. As
she was describing the number of younger sisters in India and how Justine is
considered older in India, they were surprised.
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| Justine uses the subway like a pro |
It is hard to imagine coming to another culture, speaking a
different language, and really not knowing anyone very well. How lucky Justine is to have such a welcoming
group where she fits right in and can feel so at home. There are so many values among the Sisters of
St Joseph that cut across cultures. One
of the great things I get to experience in my position as Executive Director of
the US Federation, is the "at-homeness" of being in so many different
congregations across the globe. I want
to offer a special thanks to the Sisters of St Joseph of Brentwood who have
welcomed Justine into their community life, as the Brentwood sisters at St
Patrick Convent welcomed Griselda when she was the CSJ-UN-NGO Representative.
