My first encounter with the Holy Family Sisters was when I began working as an assistant house- parent with elderly people who had learning difficulties. What struck me most about the sister I worked with and who was my senior, was her commitment and caring for the men in her charge. We as staff were never expected to do what she wasn’t prepared to do herself; so we were led by example. Sometime later, after I had left my employment, we kept in touch and over the years we have become friends.

It was through this friendship that Gerry and I kept meeting people who would ask if we were Holy Family Lay Associates. One could tell from their enthusiasm that being a Holy Family Lay Associate meant a lot to them.

It wasn’t until 2001 that, for some reason, I began to consider becoming a Holy Family Lay Associate. Gerry was in full agreement, so we mentioned it to my friend. As a consequence we attended formation sessions along with four other people in Skelmersdale. We were made very welcome and felt at home from the start.

In July 2002, along with other Holy Family Lay Associates, we had the opportunity to visit Martillac in France , the homeland of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles, our founder. The experience of that week-long visit was magic. The people we met were from other parts of Britain . The sharing, the friendships and fun were unforgettable. More important though were the spiritual aspects of our visit—walking in the footsteps of our founder, sensing his presence, and the freedom to be alone with God and our thoughts in meditation, or joining with whatever was on offer each day.

Being a Lay Associate of the Holy Family doesn’t encumber one with all sorts of demands on our time. It is about living out our spirituality in our homes and in our parishes. We are spread out over different parishes, trying to build up the Church in those areas, doing God’s work. We meet once a month to reflect on some aspect of life, to discuss and pray. It is great to belong to such a loving Family in Christ.