NC - Spring 2018
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ASSOCIATES<br />
The gift of<br />
contemplation<br />
by Annemarie Jannotta, Associate of the<br />
Holy Family<br />
The Associates of the Holy Family in<br />
the Mid-Atlantic area share a special<br />
privilege. In addition to meeting for<br />
prayer and social interaction, they<br />
often get a living history of the<br />
Associates from members Joanne<br />
O’Donnell and Maryanne Blatz, two<br />
of the original four founding members<br />
of the Associates of the Holy Family in<br />
the U.S.<br />
In 1979, Joanne and Maryanne were<br />
housewives and mothers in the<br />
Philadelphia area, with all the implied<br />
blessings and burdens of caring for<br />
their families. They were happy to<br />
accept an invitation from Maria<br />
Delaney Pennefather and Eva Rutecki<br />
to join them in a Meadowbrook<br />
convent where they could pray in<br />
quiet before the Blessed Sacrament.<br />
Sr. Rita Partyka was the Superior<br />
and Directress of Novices at the<br />
convent. She answered the women’s<br />
questions on their tour of the place<br />
and explained the life of Mother<br />
Foundress and the history of the<br />
Congregation. It seemed to be “love<br />
at first sight” for Maria and Eva, and a<br />
more gradual process for Joanne and<br />
Maryanne but each responded to a<br />
unique calling from the Lord.<br />
Joanne had seven children, Maryanne<br />
had three. Naturally, the opportunity<br />
to relax and just pray was a huge gift.<br />
But our Lord had an even greater<br />
gift in mind: the gift of contemplation.<br />
Joanne came to realize that in the<br />
quiet, Jesus spoke to her heart. She<br />
realized that He was preparing her<br />
to bring Him from the Meadowbrook<br />
chapel into the world starting with<br />
her own family.<br />
As Maryanne sat in the chapel, she<br />
reflected on the quiet obedience of<br />
each member of the Holy Family and<br />
asked Mary to teach her a greater<br />
love of silence. Gradually, Maryanne<br />
was able to embrace her own<br />
reserved nature and feel a love for<br />
the inner deep and quiet presence of<br />
Jesus.<br />
Each woman was able to abandon<br />
worldly concerns during their<br />
precious chapel time and open herself<br />
to be present to Christ and let His<br />
Spirit touch and teach her. A thirst<br />
was born in them for Him that has<br />
lasted over the years.<br />
Joanne and Maryanne credit the many<br />
Sister-Directors they have had who<br />
guided them through meditations<br />
of Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good<br />
Shepherd (Frances Siedliska). Each<br />
month, they were taught a new virtue<br />
or given a new fruit of the Holy Spirit<br />
to work on. They were taught how<br />
important it was to grow in these<br />
fruits and virtues and how to apply<br />
them in their daily lives if they were<br />
to bring Jesus to others.<br />
Retired today, after years of combined<br />
work and volunteering and sharing<br />
the spirit of Nazareth, Joanne and<br />
Maryanne enlighten the Associate<br />
meetings with their humble spirituality<br />
and joyful hearts. We are blessed and<br />
grateful to God to have them with us.<br />
* * *<br />
Our Association of the Holy Family<br />
nurtures the spirituality of lay individuals<br />
who have dedicated themselves to<br />
living Nazareth spirituality in their<br />
families, in their workplace and in the<br />
world. These women and men help<br />
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