As Sisters, we support each other financially - and those on the mission abroad - through pooling incomes from paid employment. Changing career at 50+ years of age is not such an easy task. One may have qualifications in all sorts of areas, but not have the experience and so opportunities can become limited. However, fortified by my years of training and experience as a therapist in a voluntary setting, I began my job search and filling in application form after application form. My prayer was that the Lord would open the doors that he wanted me to pass through and close those that were not right for me. With door after door after door closing ... I held on in trust and worked in a voluntary capacity to gain more experience! Finally, the right door opened, and I am now employed as a Staff Support Counsellor in an NHS hospital setting.

This ministry is very rewarding in the sense of helping those who are in the healing professions already. To walk alongside those who are trying to make life-changing decisions, those who have been crushed through traumatic experiences, those who feel overburdened with pain and life's responsibilities and so on, is a demanding, humbling and responsible ministry. It is a privileged and sacred place to be, and also - like Simon of Cyrene - it is shouldering the cross of another, until the light comes and the resurrection happens in small ways. This is a ministry that has a high 'burn out' rate, unless one takes care on all levels, especially the spiritual. Having the prayer support of the community, and of our Contemplative Sisters in Martillac helps here.

The Scripture passage which nurtures me in this ministry is that of Luke 4:18 where Jesus reads from Isaiah:

"The spirit of the Lord is upon me; therefore, he has anointed me. He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives. Recovery of sight to the blind and release to prisoners."

Day after day, I discover (from my faith perspective) the Lord's hand at work in people's lives. The Staff Support Service, however, is open to everyone. For me, this particular ministry is one where I live the "hidden life of Nazareth" as by its nature it is confidential and unobtrusive.