Living Our Charism in My Ordinary Everyday Life

by Sister Chris Backiel, CSJP

We proclaim that “Christ is our peace, the source of our power. United with him we engage in the struggle against the reality of evil and continue the work of establishing God’s reign of justice and peace.” (CSJP Constitution 2)

For me, living our charism of Peace through Justice is found in my ordinary everyday life. It is as natural as breathing. It is as simple as my private and public “comings and goings.” It is grounded in prayer.

Since 2018, I have served as a Community Life Minister along with another sister. At the request of and on behalf of the elected Leadership Team, we strive to offer accompaniment and support to our sisters who may need a hand with medical concerns and/or practical life issues. In addition, we assist the Leadership Team in their efforts to create regional assemblies and implement policies. The role calls for flexibility, creativity and compassion. It is a privilege and a blessing to serve in this capacity.

In the Eastern Region, we have five ministries sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. One of these ministries is Peace Care. It consists of Peace Care St. Joseph and Peace Care St. Ann, the only Catholic short-term rehabilitation and long-term skilled nursing facilities in Hudson County, New Jersey. I serve on the Peace Care Board of Trustees. As a board member, I contribute my insights, reflections and questions with others who share their expertise in support of Peace Care’s mission. It is a special blessing for me to serve on the Board of Trustees.

Throughout my 55 years as a woman religious, I have learned that any and all of my attempts to minister to and with others is rooted in my personal and communal prayer. My relationship with Jesus the Christ, Son of the Living God, is both gift and grace initially received in the sacrament of baptism. It is primarily nurtured in and through nature, scripture, eucharist, the sacraments, and all the people of God.

The Jesus of the Gospels is my model par excellence for loving God and my neighbor as myself.

“Whatever you do, do all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)