 |
Spiritual companioning Companioning others on their spiritual journeys is one of hundreds of ways in which Medical Mission Sisters around the world try to be a healing presence to those in need today. Sister Jane Pellowski grew up on a farm in Wisconsin. “An appreciation for growth and the innerness of things was established in me very early and has never left me. It arrived in me like an early imprinting that marked me for a life-long search,” she says. After serving in Nursing Administration at Holy Family Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, Sister Jane earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Georgia State University in 1973. Remaining in Atlanta, she completed an internship in the Pastoral Care Office, then worked at the Ignatius Retreat House. “This experience forged a path for me into a ministry of doing spiritual direction or spiritual companioning, which is my preferred way to describe this ministry,” she shares.
“I have often referred to this work as being a ‘mediator of the interior way’ – where I am invited to open myself to the grace and gifts that are given by the Spirit day by day.”
“In its deepest sense, I believe this work is about the practice of attentive presence, inner stillness, and deep listening – all without judgment, but with inner awareness of the leading strings of wisdom and love. If I am given this grace of attentive presence, then the other shares his or her sacred stories, of prayer, of challenge, of hard times, of new ideas, of grace, of blessing.”
Sister Jane shares a prayer, “Wide is the heart that lets in the fullness of love,” and adds, “If I fail to widen my heart, I miss the real discernment that might be needed to assist another to open the mind, the heart, and the eyes to the path that the Spirit might be leading or working in the life of the one who comes for companioning and direction." “I am grateful to all those who have found their way to me, asking me to be with them on their journey. Each one has taught me to listen deeply and to recognize the gift of God’s Spirit that flows so endlessly and uniquely to each one.” A member of our Community for 51 years, Sister Jane also has served as Liturgy and Chapel Coordinator at our North American headquarters since 1981. She draws on the Spirit to facilitate a deep sense of prayer, meaning, and participation by the worshipping community in our daily and weekly liturgies.
home
|
|
