MEET AN ASSOCIATE

Brenda Butchart, Peterborough Associate

I always felt that I wanted to be closer to God.     I was looking for the More, but was not sure in what direction I was going. I started going to the Villa St. Joseph Retreat Center, where Sister Margaret Shannon and Sister Shirley Tapp always made me feel so in tune with God.In 1987, Sister Shirley asked me to come and sit in a meeting of the Associates. My love of God, God’s people and all of Creation has led me on my journey for 23 years.

At first, I remember being overwhelmed by the sharing and the abounding love of these women, but every time I went home, I wanted to come back. I wanted to be a part of this growing spirit filled union of women, who were so wise, loving and caring. There was this sharing of our lives and the acceptance of who you were and where you had been. It was amazing. I learned a  great many things but the most important to me was reflecting back on my life and sharing and seeing how many times God was there always guiding, always caring, always loving no matter what was happening. I learned I was never alone and that if I got off course somehow God always steered me back in the right direction. In 1989, I became Secretary of our Associate community and shortly after that, when Kelly Vollering moved away, I became the Contact person, each step showing more and more growth.

 In 2006, I turned down the call for the Co-animator. I felt at the time that there was so much going on in my life, I could not do a great job. Again, God waited patiently for me to respond to the call. In 2007, there was another endorsement process and I knew God was asking me to believe in myself. And so once again reading all those beautiful words in the Endorsement letters, I accepted. It has been a very challenging time for me, but a very rewarding time as well. I have learned to talk less to God and listen more. I hear God speaking to me through the Sisters, the Associates, my family, friends and even my grandchildren.

I have been married for 36 years to a wonderful man. His love and humour have sustained us through many trying times. I also have three grown children. My oldest son has two children. My next son has been married for about three years and he and his wife have just welcomed a sweet little girl into their lives. These beautiful grandchildren keep me young and are a blessing every day. My youngest is my daughter April, who amazes me with her dedication to teenagers with autism at the school where she works. I know she comes home many days completely drained, but God has gifted her great strength, compassion and love for “HER KIDS”, as she refers to them.

I am an Usher at St. Michael’s Parish in Cobourg, and I also help with St. Vincent de Paul. My newest challenge is I have volunteered at my grandchildren’s school, where I listen to children read, and I help with projects, go on outings, and help with studying for retests. In March of 2010, I started working with a Grade 6 student who had recently arrived at the school. He had not only been abused at home, but also at his old school. He was very withdrawn, and angry. When I first started reading with him he read at a level 2 or 3 and never spoke to me, just shrugged his shoulders and kept his head down. God was challenging me to the more. I asked the teacher if I could do an extra couple of mornings a week for some extra reading time. By the end of June, this child was reading at a level 12-13. He had opened up enough that he was quite silly at times. We had built up a special rapport and I continued to use positive reinforcement, patience, understanding, and especially unconditional love. I am so happy that he has found some self esteem. He started to enjoy being with other boys in his class, and sharing in class discussion. I know if I had made one tiny difference in his day, then I had done a little of what God is asking of me.

Through sharing with the Associates, God has given me the vision to be aware of my journey. I have been graced with such wonderful gifts of patience, understanding, compassion, love, laughter, joy and many more. As I continue my journey, I listen and wait to see where God wants me to go next. I have so much enjoyed being an animator, and as my term winds down I feel saddened that I will have to leave, but God is a God of surprises, and I know God will lead me through it.

Brenda Butchart

 

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