Sister Thérèse Browne was born in Kilmallock, Co. Limerick, Ireland. She joined the Sisters of Charity of St.Paul in Birmingham in 1962 and trained as a teacher. She has taught in a school for special needs children for two years and in secondary schools in England and Ireland. For the last 10 years she has been involved in the leadership of her congregation.

 

Q. When were the seeds of your vocation sown?

A. The seeds of my vocation were sown in my family, local parish community and at school. As I was growing up I got to know a number of religious of different congregations among my relatives, neighbours and teachers. To consider religious life as a vocation seemed a very natural thing to do. I was also blessed with the understanding and support of friends.

Q. Why did you choose this particular order?

A. I knew them well, and they were friendly, hospitable and prayerful. They seemed to be very much among the local people and in no way remote. Although I found leaving family and friends to go to Birmingham for my novitiate very difficult, it was probably easier in the long run to make that transition from one way of life to another.

Q. What aspect of religious life have you found most rewarding?

A. Learning how to build community with a sense of mission and to value a diversity of personality and gifts among our sisters and others. This experience has been a great help in my ministry over the years. As a secondary school teacher I found the pastoral aspects of my work most rewarding and enjoyable. Over the past ten years I have had the opportunity to broaden my horizons further by interacting with other congregations on a national and international level.

Q. What have you found most difficult?

A. I can recall the years following Vatican 11 as being quite difficult as well as being liberating and enriching in many ways. I struggled, like many others in the Church at that time, with the tensions between the “progressive” and the “conservative” response to that unique event, especially as a teacher of religious education. Today it is quite difficult in apostolic congregations like ours to keep generating energy around relevant active ministries as members grow older and fewer new members are joining us. I do believe, however, that in this fallow time the Lord is “doing something new” even if we cannot see it clearly yet. I believe very strongly in the future of religious life whatever shape it will take and feel encouraged by the signs of a reawakening of the sense of life as a vocation.

Q. How do you see the work you are currently involved in? 

A. My current work involves having overall care for all the sisters in our congregation in the UK, Ireland, South Africa and Romania, supporting and encouraging them in their various ministries, working together and with others to keep the mission of the Sisters of St.Paul vibrant and relevant to the needs of our Church and world wherever we find ourselves.

Q. What skills do you need?

A. I find that the skills for implementing change are vital in the rapidly changing environment in which we are living, along with skills in modern communication.

Q. Have you a tip on how to pray?

A. For me it is important simply to be there, to make space and time for daily prayer and to be oneself before God. The power and the support of both personal and community prayer are essential to the Christian way of life, especially religious life. I don’t always find it easy however, but I do find spending some time reflecting on the daily liturgical scripture readings very helpful.

Q. What’s your favourite movie?

A. A Beautiful Mind was one of the most powerful and engaging films I have seen. For sheer entertainment and relaxation I would go to see Mama Mia again.

Q. If you were hosting a dinner party, which person from history would you invite?

A. Pope John XX111, who called Vatican II. I would like to chat to him about, amongst other things, his vision for religious life in bringing about the Kingdom of God in the Church and the world. I would also like to hear his comments on how or whether that vision has been realised or not.