Congregation of Divine Providence, Melbourne, Kentucky


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Sister Marlene Rust

Not long ago I heard a story. Three friars were talking as they drove home from a funeral of a brother. One was telling how a woman friend considered his life useless and truly couldn't understand how he could waste his talents. One of the friars in the front seat began laughing. Being somewhat offended the story teller asked what was so funny. Fr. replied, "Well, I think she's right, our life style is pretty useless in the eyes of many, but I wouldn't change it for anything.” These three friars exude happiness. As I thought about the story I realized that in the eyes of many happiness is defined differently than in our life style. I believe that happiness pervades my life; it is present even in the worrisome and sad times. Living in the presence of God certainly helps.

I believe in a God of surprises and God really does play jokes on us. Every once in a while I silently laugh when I recall living in a community where one of the Sister's was attending UD in the summer for a degree in religious education. She wanted to work with adults! This sounded awful to me. I could and would never teach adults! A couple of years later I had to explain a new report card to the Mother's Club at Corpus Christi. My mouth went dry, my knees shook and I became brain dead. A few years later I was saying yes to preaching at ecumenical services, organizing and setting up a mission parish, training catechists to teach both children and adults coming into the Church through the RCIA process. That was one of the most joyful times of my life.

Talking about God playing jokes; the second divine joke in my life involves Jeanne d'Arc Residence, the place where I am presently the administrator. I had visited here two or three times in the past and thought it would be a fun place to semi-retire: work a little and play a little. Apparently God heard, "Work" and thought this would be a good challenge for me. And God is so right about it being a challenge.

Providence has always been a part of my life. Each move whether the olden days of "being moved" from school to school or the recent times when discernment has played a vital role, the hand of God was and is present. Each move, from teacher to principal to parish ministry to administrator of Jeanne d'Arc God led, God challenges and God walks with me. I know I could do nothing that I have accepted without divine guidance.