People Of Faith
My name is Maryann Joyce. I am Coordinator of Religious Education at Sts. Mary and John Parish in Evansville.
How was your faith formed? My early faith was formed by my maternal grandparents who were faithful Irish Catholics living in Rhode Island. Tangible touchstones like a picture of the sacred heart of Jesus and a crucifix on the wall were my first and only introductions to the faith. I knew little of Jesus beyond these symbols since my single mother was not practicing the faith. It seemed that 90 percent of the local population was Catholic, so it was easy to be Catholic in culture. It wasn't until age 14, when I went to Catholic high school, that my faith became real and I developed a personal relationship with Jesus/God.
Who or what has been a big influence in your life? My peers in high school became the greatest influences on my faith. During those first few months of high school, I met a girl in my class named Shelia who came from a devout family of 12 children. In class, we were learning about the life of Jesus and his miracles. I must have been longing for a real connection with God because on the way out of class I wistfully asked her, “why doesn't Jesus act in miracles anymore?” Sheila began to witness her faith to me and with great fervor shared how God was active in her life. She spoke of her belief in miracles and shared sightings of little miracles in her own life and family. Her answer astounded me. In that moment God became powerfully present to me, much like blinders coming off my eyes. I took in this Word with great joy, and from that moment on began to center my life around Christ and the good news of God's love for us.
What do you do in your role as Coordinator of Religious Education? Currently, I am serving our church community through preparing the children for the sacraments of Confirmation and First Reconciliation/First Communion. In the coming months I will be working with our new director to build a religious education program for the whole parish. Outside of that role, I also work as a trained spiritual director, offering individual and group spiritual direction for Christians in the Evansville area.
Who do you consider to be positive role models today? I have found wonderful role models in other DRE's and religious women of our diocese who serve God's people with such faithfulness and care. Sr. Jane Nesmith and Sr. Sharon Richardt are two wonderful Christ-like examples who have blessed my life. Dorothy Day and the people who serve in the Catholic Worker Movement have influenced and formed my faith and serve as great role models for me, as are volunteers of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Describe a time when you have experienced God’s presence in your life. God has been working powerfully in my life these last few years. Little did I know to treasure the crosses in life as a means of healing until cancer struck me in the summer of 2013. In the midst of the fear and shock those first few months, I experienced a loving presence expressed as a peace deep within. I was very blessed to have time to look deeply into my life and seek healing on all levels, before I began the exhausting experience of chemotherapy. With the help of spiritual direction and therapy, God led me to a powerful healing of emotional wounds that has led me to live more freely and peacefully in this moment. It was a time of great mercy and healing, and has brought me to better appreciate suffering – as well as the gift of everyday life – so much more. Now I know, however long I shall live, I shall die a more peaceful and whole person.
What are your dreams for parish faith formation today? I am very interested in developing community and connections along the lines of what John Roberto is teaching in “Lifelong Faith Formation.” We have the opportunity to use technology and computers now to connect people more deeply and develop relationships as they share like needs and interests, or learn about their faith in study groups and Bible studies both on-line and in person. Technology can help us reach niches/groups in our community that are being under served, whether they be new moms, young adults off at college, or home-bound seniors.
How do you nurture your faith life? I feel that daily centering prayer is the greatest nourishment to my faith life. Silence allows me to listen to God deep within, and invites me to trust in that love within all the anxieties and challenges of life. Our rich treasure of Catholic faith traditions is also a big part of my life; reading scripture, praying the Psalms, and attending Mass all enrich my soul. My faith has grown through wonderful formation opportunities in my spiritual direction training and further study in Formative Spirituality.
What makes being a Catholic so important to you? In times when the institution of the Catholic Church disappointed me, I have remained Catholic because I find the presence and union with Christ in His church through the sacraments, especially the sacrament of Eucharist. The people of God, gathered together in communion, are the collective ritual that awakens us to experience our union with God and one another. This is the source from which all of life springs.
What is your best wisdom on life? Take time for silence every day. It's only in silence that we can experience God's loving embrace deep within our heart. Know that God is in every event, circumstance and person in your life. Make it your practice to silence your mind enough to find God hidden there, and surrender to the Spirit's invitation to love.
What is a scripture quote that you would like to share? Colossians 3: 12-17: “Because you are God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with heartfelt mercy, with kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive whatever grievances you have against one another. Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you. Over all these virtues, put on love, which binds the rest together and makes them perfect. Christ's peace must reign in your hearts, since as members of the one body you have been called to that peace. Dedicate yourselves to thankfulness.”
The Diocesan Office of Catechesis compiles People of Faith.
