Some time ago, I traveled to Chicago to train a Sister from my congregation’s western province on web design. Not having a direct flight, I had a layover in Columbus, Ohio.
When I disembarked the plane for a layover, I stopped at a kiosk for some yogurt and fruit. As I was eating and watching people swirl all around me, an impeccably dressed man in his 30s sat next to me. He was eating his lunch as well.
After ten minutes of silence, he turned to me and asked, “How is the nun business?” I giggled and said, “Of all the questions I have ever been asked about religious life, that was a first!” His question began a 30-minute conversation about work and faith, and faith and work that still makes me smile. He was a salesperson representing a German company that manufactured prosthetic limbs. He described his profession as one that brings hope to wounded warriors and those involved in tragic accidents. Our conversation focused on how we lived out our lives of faith within the workplace as well as our individual lives.
I could not help thinking about this story as I continue to share stories of people within our Diocese who live their faith. Becky Broderic, a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Cornwall, is one such individual. In 2013, during the Year of Faith, Becky’s pastor described her with the following words: “Becky has served as the Religious Education Director for many years, she coordinates our RCIA program and monitors the bible study courses. She continues to teach and learn and offers a wonderful example of our faith.”
When I caught up with her for an interview, she said a lot has changed since 2013 as she tries to serve the Church. One thing that has remained constant for her is talking about the faith. When I pressed her as to why, she said, “Because I LOVE the faith! I love everything that is good, beautiful and true!”
She went on to explain, “My Catholic faith means so much to me. You see, I went to Catholic school for 12 years, educated my children in the Catholic schools where they share the faith. My husband died a number of years ago and that loss just deepened my faith. I can’t go on without it.”
She went on, [My faith] “reminds me that God created me out of love. [By] living within that love and owning God’s mercy, it gives me a way to live my one beautiful life; a way of pointing it to Jesus. He has given us a path to follow. He is our model to follow. We shouldn’t be drawn into the negativity of our time. Satan drives us away from the path that God call us to follow.”
She continued, “God’s mercy is so awesome! The more you learn about it, the more you know about who God is. That’s how we can love our one beautiful life, by showing mercy to others. We can’t fix the all issues in our society, but we are called to pray. This calls me to learn how to trust, to hold on to the heart of Jesus. Trusting in God is hard, but in reality it’s all about allowing God to take control.”
It seems to me that Becky indeed has a firm grasp on the “business of faith,” and that is truly holy.
By Sister Geralyn Schmidt, SCC, Special to The Witness
