SisterJoan Williams

“May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.” -Ephesians 3:17

Pondering these sixty years as a Dominican fills my heart and spirit with gratitude. The unfolding of my life has truly been a gift of grace and of opportunity.

Service and hospitality were modeled by my parents; these qualities were contagiously caught by all my siblings from early childhood forward. Though not articulated at the time, joining a community dedicated to service seemed a natural way to carry on our parents’ legacy.

Each professional ministry prepared me for the next: as musician in K-12, as liturgist and choir director in multicultural, multilingual parishes, as formator and instructor with Church communities in transitional times following the Second Vatican Council, as religious educator among the Spanish-speaking, bringing groups together around the Word and preaching; all were part of the journey.

All places of mission were long stays: the longest being 19 years in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Unknowingly, inner transformation takes place while immersed in the reality of another culture. Upon return to U.S.A., now three years later, I realize how deeply the contemplative, life-giving, and challenging Latin American Spirituality has ingrained my spirit.

I am grateful that God is still at work in me and trust that ‘God’s work’ will be brought to fruition.