A Path of Deeper Learning
At Derham Hall, Susan Oeffling, CSJ, taught students to examine their lives.
Now she accompanies women through the process of entering the CSJ community.
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Susan Oeffling became a teacher because she recognized the value of education. “Education has been, and always will be, one of the primary needs of our time,” says Susan, “It is a way of passing on our heritage and also shaping the future.” As a Sister of St. Joseph, Susan sees teaching as an expression of the charism to love God and neighbor without distinction. “Teaching is about imparting something one loves to students. Then they can take what they’ve learned and find what more they need to know so they can make decisions that lead to their own welfare and happiness and shape a society that is more just and compassionate.” |
Susan began teaching theology at Derham in 1982. She made sure that the rigor of the theology curriculum equaled that of other classes. The study of theology was complemented by retreats and service projects. In retreats she wanted students to examine their own lives and ask tough questions: What is important in my life? What is it I value? How do I connect with it? Is there something beyond me?
Susan felt that when students looked more deeply into themselves they would be better able to connect with others in a spirit of service and community work. She especially remembers the Fall Festival, when the students were invited from the inner city schools to come to Derham Hall for a day of celebration in order to build connections with the broader community. As she explains, “It’s essential to share what we have. Many of the young women eventually became leaders in their own right, so for them to have the experience of passing it forward was extremely important.”
In 1984 she became the Derham Hall principal, and it wasn’t long before she started to address the merger with Cretin High School. Throughout the planning, Susan carefully considered the best interest of her students. “We envisioned a school that would address needs equally, treat all students reverently and deliver a quality education,” she says. When the merger went forward Susan and Brother Michael Collins became co-principals of the new school, so that students would have a model of leadership shared equally between a woman and a man.
Yet the merger wasn’t as simple as bringing together young women and men in one building. The two schools had very different philosophies about education. Derham was a college prep school with modular scheduling. Cretin was a comprehensive high school with military background and a traditional schedule. The Sisters of St. Joseph and the Derham Hall faculty, staff and board, worked to ensure that the strengths of Derham Hall were not lost. In the end many of the values of Derham Hall carried over into the new school. One of the most important contributions was an emphasis on team teaching, resulting in an interdiscipinary course, Spectrum, which included a direct service program and continued the tradition of Catholic social justice teaching. “Only by extending loving kindness do we build the relationships necessary. We can’t separate love of God from love of neighbor,” says Susan.
Today, Susan carries out this same mission of inviting people to live out the charism of love of God and neighbor without distinction. After serving on the Leadership Team for the Sisters of St. Joseph for several years, Susan feels a genuine sense of commitment to the future of the Province. Currently, Susan works as the Director of Novices in the Membership Office. “I accompany women who are becoming Sisters. It's really a privilege because they are in a process of reflection on life changing decisions. It is an amazing experience to be a part of that process.” She also works with the CSJ Consociates. Many people who feel a strong sense of kinship with the work of the Sisters of St. Joseph enter the consociate program. Consociates are women and men from all walks of life and faith traditions who are committed to living the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Consociates participate in the community and share in the spirituality of the CSJs.
In addition, Susan is a Spiritual Director. “Spiritual direction is a matter of accompanying a person as he or she reflects on their faith journey and assisting them in awakening to the divine in their own lives," she says, " It helps them become more aware of their deep connection with all that is. The spiritual journey is about knowing our oneness with God. Such a realization means that we don't just sit their, but we move out to others in service and acts of justice."
