STORY - "Josephites 'Ordinary and Unafraid' "

“I can’t really identify exactly when the possibility of religious life emerged, but I would say there were a number of events and times when I felt very much a strong presence of God leading me in a particular direction. Even as a primary school child, I used to go into the local Catholic church (I wasn’t a Catholic then) and collect all the papers that had prayers on them so I could say them,” reflects Sr Kim Barnes RSJ.

Kim vowed Poverty, Chastity and Obedience for life as a Sister of St Joseph Lochinvar in December in a very meaningful liturgy in St Pius X Church, Windale, the parish where she lives and worships. In the company of eighty Sisters of St Joseph, her family, friends and parishioners, Kim committed to a life of loving service of the poor and disadvantaged.

“My perpetual profession, I believe, was a very special and happy occasion not only for me but for the Sisters of St Joseph, family, parishioners and friends.”

Sr Patricia Egan RSJ, Congregational Leader of the Lochinvar Sisters of St Joseph, described Kim’s Final Profession as a deeply moving ceremony and “a rare event nowadays in the life of the congregation. It was a source of inspiration and personal renewal for us Sisters, a timely reminder of what life-long Josephite commitment to the mission of Jesus means for all of us and the people we serve.

“The Windale parishioners were delighted to host this important event in the life of the diocese, its ecclesial nature highlighted by the presence of our Bishop, Michael Malone, and Fr Gerard Mackie, parish priest of East Lake Macquarie Parish, who presided at the Mass.”

Kim was raised in Islington and was educated at Tighes Hill Public School and Cooks Hill Girls’ High.

“My parents had good morals and values and they instilled them in my brother Tony and me. They also placed importance on giving hospitality to all who visited our home and especially to those in need. We were taught to share with others at table. We were encouraged to seek employment and take responsibility for ourselves whilst, at the same time, contributing to the cost of living as a family,” Kim said.

In 1992 Kim began the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) journey in the Sacred Heart Parish Hamilton and was received into the church at Easter 1993.

While Kim had occasionally thought about religious life, it was when she met and worked with the Sisters of St Joseph that she slowly felt more sure of her vocation and was inspired to join them.

Kim says she felt drawn to “the Sisters’ strong commitment, especially in difficult circumstances; their support of one another; the compassionate way they reached out to people of different faiths and walks of life. They seemed ‘ordinary’ and unafraid of the most menial task; being one with the people. I felt a strong call to follow. I believed this way of life was for me.”

As with every vocation, Kim knows that religious life will be challenging sometimes. “I entered religious life at a mature age - having supported myself, owned my own home and car and lived alone. The most difficult thing I had to work on was community living – living under the same roof with people I didn’t know or have much in common with. I am well aware that my fellow community members may sometimes feel the same way about me!

“Another challenge is moving from place to place. I like stability.”

Kim currently lives in community with the Sisters of St Joseph in Windale and works as a pastoral carer at St Paul’s Primary School, Gateshead.

“I believe the many experiences I have had throughout my life have contributed to who I am today and so I look back with gratitude.”

Catherine Mahony

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