This story was originally published in October 2005. As a Sister of Mercy, I taught religion and sociology on the high school level for eight years, one year at Cathedral High School in Trenton, New Jersey, and seven years at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung, New Jersey. Although I loved teaching teenagers, I felt a deep call to minister to adults in their spiritual development. Before my final vows in 1974, during a 30-day directed retreat, I experienced a clear call to minister as a spiritual director. Four years later the opportunity arose to develop the Upper Room Spiritual Center in Neptune, New Jersey with Rev. Jim O’Brien, a friend and co-worker on the steering committee for the Charismatic Renewal in the Trenton Diocese. A major ministry was to be spiritual direction. My heart leapt for joy! Since 1979, I have ministered at the Upper Room as Co-Director, spiritual director and supervisor of spiritual directors, retreat director, and teacher. As our ministry at the Upper Room began to grow, we realized that many more people desired spiritual direction than we ourselves were able to provide. In 1982, Sister Janice Edwards, Jim O’Brien, and I began a training program for spiritual directors. Since then, the education of spiritual directors has been a vital part of my ministry at the Upper Room and in other places. In companioning individuals and in teaching the dynamics of spiritual direction, we foster a “contemplative approach to spiritual direction,” which means that we assist others to notice and to savor their experience of God in prayer and in life as they grow in an intimate relationship with God. We help people “to taste and see the goodness of the Lord” in times of both deep suffering and great joy. Between 1989 and 1995, I had five books published, two on relational prayer and three on spiritual direction. These books and other articles I have written through the years evolved from my offering workshops and programs on these topics. It gives me great joy to know that these books have helped many people on their spiritual journeys! Several of them are used as text books in training programs throughout the world. In my own spiritual journey, I have grown in deep appreciation of a holistic approach to spirituality—the interrelationship of body, mind, heart, and spirit. I have been trained as a massage therapist, craniosacral therapist, and Reiki master during the past 17 years. I experience this ministry of touch as a concrete participation in the healing ministry of Jesus and as a concrete way to bring God’s mercy to a broken world. For the past 15 years, my ministry has brought me to many places throughout the United States and other places, including Australia, Ireland, and Canada. In my travels, I have had the joy of meeting many Sisters of Mercy throughout the world. In the midst of a very full schedule, I do take time to enjoy life with my family, friends, and small Mercy community with Sister Mariann Mahon. I love to engage in physical activities, especially running, biking, and skiing. I love being outside in the beauty and wonder of creation. One of my most contemplative and rewarding experiences is being by the ocean, absorbing the energy of the flowing waves, watching children play in the sand, and thanking God for the many blessings in my life. The ocean is a place of deep rest and vibrant prayer for me. In the midst of the usual stresses and strains of life, I experience my ministry as a rich participation in the tender mercy of God. I strive to be a conduit for God’s merciful love. Recently, a directee said: “When I enter into that deeper place within me, it is like having a cup of tea with God.” I hope that my ministry of mostly the spiritual, rather than the corporal works of mercy, has helped people to have “a comfortable cup of tea” with God, drinking in God’s warm compassion, especially when the challenges of life become overwhelming. If you would like to talk further with Sister Maureen about her life and ministry, you may contact her at: upperroom@bytheshore.com
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