CSJ Charism in the Classroom

By Heather Josselyn-Cranson

During my second year of teaching at Regis, I was invited to participate in the Spirits on Fire program, created by the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Out of their desire to teach their charism to the lay people who work at CSJ-sponsored ministries, the Sisters formed this year-long immersive experience. I thought that my two years at Regis had sufficiently informed me of the CSJ mission, but I was surprised at the depth and breadth of the charism that the Sisters shared with us during my experience with Spirits on Fire. They told us of six facets that make up their charism of drawing all into God’s unioning love:

1. Inclusive Love – recognizing that God loves all, without exception

2. Self-Emptying Love – pouring ourselves out for the sake of others, in imitation of Christ’s kenosis

3. All-Permeating Love – understanding that God is present in all situations, at all times

4. Zeal – daring bold action to further God’s unioning love

5. Listening Heart – making room for contemplation

6. Cordial Charity – being present to others in a life-giving way

Toward the end of my year in the Spirits on Fire program, I considered how to formulate these qualities for my students, many of whom are not Catholic nor even Christian. I believe that these facets of the Sisters’ charism are both applicable and beneficial to people of all faiths or of no faith, and so I formulated the following version of the charism:

1. Inclusivity – making room for all

2. Selflessness – putting others’ needs before our own

3. Awareness – finding possibility in difficulty

4. Enthusiasm – daring to take risks, expressing love, joy, and hope

5. Reflection – making space and time for inner quiet

6. Presence – exhibiting a quality of presence that encourages others

I included this list of qualities in my syllabi for the first time in the Fall of 2019. I shared these qualities with my students on the first day of class, and have periodically referenced them when lifting up the positive actions of my students, especially in their interactions with one another. I was inspired, as well, by the master list of methods for enacting these qualities that Regis faculty members developed in August. But now at the mid-point of the semester, I recognize a need to return to these qualities. It is easy to consider additions to a course at the beginning of the semester, but as we find ourselves bogged down in the daily work of grading, preparing for classes, and assisting students in need of additional help, it’s easy to forget the ideals we set for ourselves back in August.

This week, therefore, I’m going to make time for some quiet writing in my classes. I plan to remind my students of these qualities by listing them on the board, and ask my students to write about which of the six they’ve experienced the most in the class community over the past two months. Then I’d like them to consider which they’ve experienced the least, and consider why that might be. Finally, I’d like them to write about which they feel in most need of going into the next seven weeks of classes. While I want to offer them the opportunity to keep their writing private, I also will invite them to share the particular qualities they mentioned in each of these three writing prompts. And rather than monitoring their activity as they write, I want to give myself permission to engage in the assignment, too.

Where have I seen my students act selflessly, be present to one another, and express enthusiasm?

Where have I been able to do this?

Where have I felt a lack of these qualities, in the classroom and in myself? And what do I need, as a teacher and a classroom participant, in the upcoming weeks?

My hope is that this exercise will call us all back to qualities at the heart of the CSJ mission, qualities which also help to foster a hospitable learning community. I believe that this will be an occasion to recall positive, beneficial actions that have already taken place. But, more importantly, I hope it will be an encouragement to continue our commitment to a learning environment in which all are welcomed and cherished.

I intend to follow up this post with a second one at the end of the semester, where I can reflect on what I learned from the quiet writing exercise, detail the additions or changes that I made to classroom activities after that point, and consider what difference drawing attention to the charism of the Sisters of Saint Joseph has made to my classes and to our work together.

#charism #mission #SistersofStJoseph #values