In 2009, at the Los Angeles AASH (Associated Alumnae of the Sacred Heart) Conference, I had the gift of hearing Marianna Torrano, rscj speak. I was gripped by what this petite, soft spoke woman shared. She is part of a group of religious and lay people working at a small school, on the Soboba Reservation in southern California.
Her devotion to the people of Soboba, her joyful spirituality, and her steadfast purpose were revealed as she spoke quietly but with a powerful intention. She was serenely joyful.
After her presentation, I spoke with her briefly and thanked her. In the back of my mind, the words, “If I ever have the chance…” formed. Like so many things, however, you wonder if anything will truly come from it. And so, as I walked away from her, and on to another session, quite unknown to me, a seed had been planted.
Thus, it is two and half years later, and I find myself, plane ticket in hand, heading to the desert, the Soboba, the St. Jude School, Sister Torrano - I am heading to joy.
"The quality of our joy depends on the spring from which it is drawn.
Where do we seek our joy?
How does it flutter? Is it steadfast or changeable?
Does it go by days, by moods, by self-love, by the adventure of circumstances?
To be a joy-bearer and a joy-giver says everything;"
Janet Erskine Stuart, rscj
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