In October 2024, the American Province launched Graced Moments, where every month, a Holy Child Sister shares a “grace-filled” experience that has influenced her life. The project flows from the Society’s mission “to help others to believe that God lives and acts in them and in our world.”
We thank Barbara Bartlett, a Sister of the Holy Child Jesus for 62 years, for offering her “graced moment.”
Feel free to leave a comment for Sister Barbara at the bottom of this page. Thank you!
Click the audio player to listen to Sister Barbara read her
reflection or see the text below. Enjoy!
“Shared Graces”
A lovely young woman informed me that she and her husband were giving me my needed ride. On the way, I was told that my host couple was married just a few months ago.
A question came to mind: How did the couple come to meet one another?
This was a graced moment in the lives of the young woman and her future husband.
Could I recall one in my own life either recent or quite some time ago?
The couple met on a blind date planned by their friends. Sometimes in my own life, people are part of the moments God is at work in me.
The initial date was followed by phone calls. After one of them, the father asked his daughter if the young man was a Catholic and she informed him, he was not. He was concerned when he heard this, so much so that he asked the girl not to see him again.
I thought this very unfair as the two men had not even met.
Have I ever been asked to do something that I would see as harsh?
Even so, the daughter agreed to this. I was very surprised at the strong feelings that came over me. I then began to wonder how the situation would resolve itself.
Sometime later, the father received a phone call from the young man. He called to tell him he and some of his friends had recently completed the R.C.I.A. program and were to be baptized quite soon. Would the father consider being his sponsor?
I was again very surprised at what had taken place. I thought about God’s fidelity, generosity, and even His sense of surprise in my own moments.
Before saying goodbye, I thanked the couple for sharing the special graces they had been given. Their story has led me to reflect on my personal graces that also reveal how God acts in my life.
“It is not presumption to have hope and joy
and confidence in God’s grace.”
-Venerable Cornelia Connelly
What in Sister Barbara’s graced moment resonated with you? Please share below.
My dearest sister, long time! Listening to your graced moment has reminded me of our time together at CFR. There were many graced moments for each and all of us then, sometimes not much brought to focus as now. Your voice is still the same. Thanks for sharing. God bless and peace!
Thank you for sharing this prompt to reflect on how God acts in your life!
Thanks for sharing such a surprised grace moment this couple had, Barbara. I guess we just have to be alert so that we won’t miss them!!!’
Thank you Barbara for sharing your graced moment. It was very tender and inspiring.
Thank you Barbara for sharing. The story also remind me asking a young man who was dating a friend’s daughter if was a Catholic,he said no. They wedded two years later in the church. At the reception the young man came to me and said, “thank you sister, I am here today because of your question two years ago ” It was a grace moment for me.
Thank you very much Sr Barbara for sharing the grace moment the couple had and the perseverance of the young man in making sure that he gets what he wants or what God had planned for him. It also reminds me of our lives together at Keffi street community. You are a bundle of peace. May God fill you with His love and mercy. Thank you for being you. May God rest your mom’s soul.
Many thanks, dear Sister Barbara, for sharing this heartwarming piece. It has really prompted me to reflect on God’s presence and action in my life and the lives of others. The resonance for me lies in recalling experiences of being asked to do something that I felt was harsh; however, in hindsight, I realised that grace was at work all along, and the outcome was indeed a pleasant surprise. Wishing you God’s choicest blessings.
I have had the experience of some of my siblings marrying non-Catholics or some leaving the Catholic Church, which is a concern. But the most important thing is that we are all serving God, so we allow His will to be done in everything, irrespective of our belief or concern. I resonate with the whole experience, because only what God allows can happen or exist in our lives and our world.
Thank you Sr. Barbara
That was an inspiring graced moment, Barbara, Thank you for sharing it with us. It helped me realize that our sharing in the graced moments of others near and dear or far away are just as special as graced moments of our own. Blessings all around!
Hello, Barbara,
Seeing your picture and hearing your reflection on a moment of grace provided me with one.
Sr Barbara was part of our Pastoral Care team at White Plains Hospital and provided our patients (and staff) with many grace-filled moments through her witness and pastoral ministry. This story reminded me of her centerdness and deep spiritual connection. She was and continues to be an inspiration on so many levels. May Our Lord continue to bless you in your life and in your work.
I have many but one that stands out is being at Rosemont PA when Sister Barbara took her vows and our Friendship has been since Holy Child Highschool Waukegan IL, I feel very Blest God Bless you Barbara
Thank you for sharing the this with us!
What a lovely story, Barbara. Thank you for this moment. Mary Alice
Thank you Barbara. Your reflection reminded me to be ready for graced moments in the midst of discouragement.