- November 4, 2024 Association
Associate Peggy Maguire has been an integral part of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ) Associate program since its inception 50 years ago. As one of the first associates, Peggy's journey is a testament to the power of faith, community and the enduring spirit of the CSJ charism.
She met her first Sister of St. Joseph, Sister Betty Leiwe, while working as a director of religious education at St. Norbert parish in Florissant, Missouri. Sister Betty was serving in the same ministry at a neighboring parish and was a member of a committee exploring the possibility of reestablishing the associate program. After Vatican II, religious communities were encouraged to reflect on their original founding. The Sisters of St. Joseph rediscovered that, from their very beginning in 1650 in LePuy, France, they had associates, women who joined them in their service of the dear neighbor and who met with them regularly for prayer and reflecting on how God was calling them. Sister Betty recommended Peggy to the committee as someone who might be interested. Peggy recalls, "I got a letter from Sister Suzanne Giblin inviting me to this meeting in May of 1974. The letter was vague, as it had to be. Nobody had any idea what this was about or knew what this was going to turn out to be."
Despite the initial uncertainty, Peggy attended the meeting, which marked the beginning of her 50-year journey as a CSJ Associate (CSJA). The group was small, with only seven people attending the first meeting. By the end of summer, the group had dwindled to just two associates and Sister Suzanne. However, others began to join them, including Anne and Tom Clifford. Peggy credits Sister Suzanne’s dedication and perseverance as well as the sociability and hospitality of Anne and Tom for keeping the group together during those formative years. "I think we stayed together in the beginning, because we came to like one another and enjoy one another's company," she recalls.
As the associate program grew, so did Peggy's involvement. She volunteered with the sisters and associates, served on various committees, attended assemblies and eventually, in 2006, became the first full-time lay director of the program, serving in that role until 2017.
For Peggy, being an associate has been a transformative experience, enriching her life both spiritually and personally. "I don't even know how to describe it. I don't even want to or imagine life without this community,” she shares. The CSJ charism of unifying love and mission of service of the dear neighbor without distinction has shaped her spirituality and challenged her to live out her faith more deeply.
Reflecting on the future, Peggy remains hopeful and steadfast in her belief that the CSJ charism will endure. "I'm a real believer that there will always be Sisters of St. Joseph and that there will also be associates with the sisters.” Peggy recognizes that while the number of vowed members may be diminishing, the growth of the associate program could be part of God's plan. “And it’s important to note that you don’t have to be a sister or an associate to have the charism,” Peggy says. “Charism is a gift of the Spirit given to individuals as well as communities. But what a joy it is to share that charism with others whom God has called together for the sake of mission.”
Her vision for the future is grounded in the power of the charism to transform lives and respond to the needs of the world. “If there's ever a time the world needs the charism of loving unity, it needs it now!”
As Association celebrates its 50th anniversary, Peggy’s story is an invitation to all those who feel called to the CSJ charism to "come and see" and discover the great life that awaits them as a CSJ associate. In Peggy's words, "It's the charism that matters — whether you're living it as a sister, an associate or an individual, we have got to be living it. That’s the important thing.”
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