Rita Johnston

A glance back at my journey

I grew up in the parish of Waverley in Sydney and there I imbibed the Franciscan spirit from the Franciscan Friars and the Poor Clare Sisters who taught me at St Clare’s College.

In 1954 I began my religious life at Kedron and after profession taught in Queensland primary and secondary schools. I also spent time in Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia ministering pastorally to the Aboriginal people and as a Relief Teacher in the government school there. Of all my teaching experiences perhaps the highlight was helping some of the older women to write their names.

Having taken English as a Second Language as a major in my studies I was able in 1994-95 to spend a year in China teaching English to Middle School students. That was a special experience. My students were obliged to speak English to me and I was not able to speak Chinese to them! We did manage to communicate and I became skilled in sign language!

Where do I carry out my ministry today?

Now I live in Sydney and I teach people for whom English is a second language at St Mary’s House at Campsie and at the Asylum Seekers’ Centre at Surry Hills.

What Franciscan values underpin how I minister?

As I have reflected on my teaching I realize the Franciscan value of simplicity influences all that I do: Francis taught simply and directly and teaching ESL can only be done simply and practically.
                  
Francis shared his life with all kinds of people – the affluent and the humble were treated with equal respect and shown equal care: what a spectrum of people from differing places, languages, cultures and faiths I meet here. How my reaching out to them enriches me!

Many of my students have suffered trauma through being abused or tortured. Being able to share the peace, joy and love of Francis with them is a great privilege. We often talk about our favourite places which we acknowledge as gift. There are fears to be dealt with – the ever-present fear of being sent away from here – but there is room for joy as well when the classes provide a safe place where respect towards the person and the culture of each one is assured and the higher power each one believes in is honoured.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,
To be understood, as to understand,
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving, that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying, that we are born to eternal life.
Amen. 

Peace Prayer of St Francis

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