Hello! I’m Sue. I am a member of Serviam, the Ursuline Lay Association. I began my association with the Ursuline Order in 1961 when I embarked on my teaching career at the Ilford Ursuline High School. Having attended daily Mass since I left school at the age of sixteen, I made sure that my accommodation was close enough to the Convent to enable that practice to continue. Thus began my formation as an associate of the Ursuline Order. Daily Mass, school liturgies and general assemblies, working alongside the Sisters, the general ethos of the school - all contributed to my gradual assimilation of Ursuline spirituality. The foundation of Serviam was an invitation to those such as myself who were teaching in Ursuline schools, and to past pupils of the schools who wished to maintain their contact in the spiritual dimension, to formalise the relationship. The first members, like the first companions of St. Angela, were already working for the Church in various capacities and were people of prayer. Seven groups were started, most of us using as our meeting place, the local Ursuline convent. It was a great joy and ‘no small help’ to us to ‘meet each other as loving sisters (and the occasional brother!) and thus, talking over spiritual matters, rejoice together, and together encourage one another’. [Eighth Legacy] Since then, numbers have grown. Many people have been introduced to St. Angela and their local Ursuline Sisters.   Each group is different , taking on the nature of the associated Community and the individual members, but all have as their basic aims ‘to come close to God through a life of prayer and to work for the building up of God’s kingdom.’ [Serviam promise] I value greatly the help I have received from my regular one-to-one discussions with my ‘Contact’ who was, until decreasing numbers of Sisters made this impossible for most members, someone with whom I could be quite open about my prayer life and my life in general and receive help and advice if I wished. The monthly meetings themselves provide not only occasions for spiritual nourishment but also the companionship of like-minded people, which in this secular world is becoming a rare experience. For me, the opportunity to share experiences, to pray together and to socialise is invaluable. The six-monthly general meetings give us the opportunity to experience those same benefits with people from all over the English Province. To celebrate the year 2000, we met together for Mass, a walk of witness and a party, which fulfilled the aims of the Association - prayer and working for the Kingdom, as well as giving us time to celebrate and enjoy one another’s company.               The content of the general meetings varies - sometimes a talk from a visitor, sometimes a day of prayer and reflection, sometimes discussion - but always Mass or some other type of liturgy. There have been several pilgrimages. Groups of Serviam members and Ursuline Sisters have been to Desenzano and to Beaugency and Tours, to follow in the steps of St. Angela and Blessed Mary of the Incarnation. They afforded us happy times of living and praying together, and meeting Associates from other countries. Even if we could not speak each other’s languages, we could indulge in what the French call ‘friendly drinking’, finding common ground, and partying as well as praying together. In these days when St. Angela and her writing are so relevant to today’s world, it is good to learn more about her spirituality and share in the community life of the Sisters at the monthly meetings. Serviam for me is truly an opportunity to deepen my spiritual life. I come away from the meetings encouraged and determined to do my best to spread the Good News of God’s Kingdom, knowing that I am supported by my Ursuline family. BACK TO TOP