LESSONS FROM MINISTRY | KAIROS GLOBAL | MARCH 2020

Author: Sherin Alexander

Intro: Sherin Alexander´s heartfelt and honest recounting of her journey of finding purpose, both as a believer and as a woman

For the past few days, I have been mulling over different ideas regarding women in ministry. The more I thought about it, I started to wonder: what do I know about women in ministry? What experience and authority do I have to write about it?

Finally, after much brainstorming, by the time I sat down to write the article, I am on a flight from Tampa to Houston, with my husband, to help out with a marriage preparation course. I started to think about my own journey in this ministry. 

During my college days, I attended a FOCUS women’s event where they talked about Creighton Model female cycle charting method. I vividly remember being intrigued by it. When I was doing my graduate schooling as a Physician´s Assistant, I found myself being especially interested in hormone health. It was during my PA school that my second wave of conversion happened. When my dream program didn’t make me happy and fulfilled like I had hoped it would, I turned to the teachings of the Church for answers and I came across Mulieris Dignitatis and Letter to Women by Saint Pope John Paul II. Those documents led me to a deeper prayer life and a stronger rootedness in my identity as the beloved daughter Father God. From that flowed a desire to share that good news with other women. This led to a young women’s group that gathered for prayer, study and fellowship. I also found a new and renewed understanding of my career in the medical field; I started to see it as more of a vocation and less like a job. I desired to serve the Lord and his Kingdom through my profession. I remember discussing my inspirations about wanting to be a Natural Family Planning instructor with my spiritual director at the time. He affirmed that my calling is where my heart’s deepest desire meets the need of the time. 

When I first ventured to think about what my ministry should be like, I founded it entirely on the basis of my abilities and limitations.  Now, almost a decade later, when I look at my journey in the ministry, I am surprised and grateful in equal parts for the ways in which the Lord has led me. I really didn’t think the Lord would lead me into a public ministry nor did I desire it. It really is true that the Lord doesn’t call the equipped rather He equips the called! I have experienced my own heart, abilities, dreams and faith expand as I grew in this ministry. 

I often found myself wondering if there really is a need for women (mostly me) to be ministering. I have seen many women (especially married women) think on the same lines. Unfortunately, many of us lack the confidence and direction or discernment in this area of our lives. Some women feel unworthy and irrelevant or useless as a minister. Saint Pope John Paul II made it very clear in his `Letter to Women’ that there is a great need for the feminine presence in different fields. We bring a gentleness and a focus on the person, that is much needed in the Church and the world. The strength and faith of a woman can convert many souls. 

I am reminded of the example of a JY mother, who in spite of her full life of caring for her family and homeschooling several kids found time in her daily schedule to give a ride to an injured friend to go to daily mass along with her family. This JY mother packed her car with her kids and drove to the friend’s house to pick him up daily until he was better. This friend still shares about the power of that feminine care in his journey of faith, years after her ministering.

As the demands of married life increased, I recognized through prayer that I was still called to minister. My ministry, however, took a different form. As a family we sought discernment about our family mission and we found prayerful affirmation in a combined women’s and men’s ministry: a young family ministry. We recognized that the time and availability we are gifted with now, especially during this time of our infertility, is a call for us to actively respond to our spiritual parenthood. I see that in our ministry of our spiritual children is making us parents; spiritual parents! 

The biggest challenge I have noticed as a married woman ministering is the need to continually discern and prioritize. I realised that I often have the time to engage in the activities of the ministry but lack the discipline to manage my time and commitments. 

When I look back, the greatest help I received (apart from the Lord and my husband) was from my JY community. My spiritual director and my close friends were vital in helping me recognise my own abilities and in fostering them. Whenever I felt insecure or was overcome with fears, they held me up with their supporting hands and continued prayers. 

As my flight descends into Houston, I thank the Lord for calling me to be a minister in His Kingdom and giving me continued strength and support in different ways to respond to it.  

Sherin Alexander, a Jesus Youth, a Physician Assistant at a family practice, and a certified Marquette Model Natural Family Planning instructor lives with her husband in Florida, USA.