Sisters' Stories
Interview with Sister Florence -Music Therapist
An opener for anyone who might not know you: Tell us your name and what you do.
My name is Florence Holligan, and I'm a music therapist.
I work mainly with music and imagery as psychotherapy. I also use music and imagery to help people on their spiritual journeys.
The Sisters of St John of God have defined themselves as being Apostolic. In other words, ministry is an essential part of your life. There seems to be diversity of ministries now and lifestyles which support them. Where is your ministry and lifestyle reflected in the Sisters' corporate vision and mission.
Part of the Sisters' mission has always been to continue the healing Mission of Christ. I see my ministry as being part of that, and see all that I do as helping people towards the fullness of life promised by Jesus when he said in John 10:10 "I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full".
What is the most life-giving aspect of what you do - your ministry?
To see people grow into that fullness of life as they work through various difficulties is wonderful. I see them becoming free in mind, body and spirit.
What is the biggest challenge?
Balancing all aspects of life - prayer, ministry, community responsibilities, family connections, adequate care of myself etc. etc..
Mobility is an aspect of apostolic life. Where do you live at present?
I live with one other Sister in East Bentleigh, a suburb of Melbourne.
What do like best about living there?
I love living in an ordinary house, in an ordinary suburb, with ordinary neighbours, and being part of the local community and parish (this comes after many, many years of living in convents next to hospitals). I love the garden. I even enjoy putting out the garbage bins on Sunday evenings!
What do you do like least?
I can't think of anything at the moment.
Along with the changes in their ministries many sisters have developed a vibrant spirituality. What has been the most significant change in your spiritual practice?
Being responsible for my own spiritual/prayer life, and having more freedom to allow the Spirit to be my guide has been very significant.
Praying with others in community also offers great support in living a faith-life. And being involved in the local parish also nourishes my spiritual life.
Which of your (spiritual) books has the most worn cover?
For the last couple of years, I have loved a book by Daniel O'Leary called "Travelling Light." He brings together the best of eastern and western spirituality, combined with the insights of psychology and his own life experience, and presents this in 31 short chapters, one for each day of the month. He calls these "Breathers".
How does your spiritual life affect your ministry?
How does your community life affect your spirituality?
I would like to answer these two questions together, as I grow older, it becomes harder to distinguish. Spiritual life - community life - ministry-life - I only live one life and that becomes increasingly influenced by my daily walking and living with God. Certainly what happens in ministry both comes out of and enriches my spiritual life. What happens in community both supports and challenges my spiritual life. I am very human and mess things up frequently, but perhaps I worry less about that than I used to..and rely more on God's love and forgiveness.
If you had a magic wand and power to change anything, what would you like to change about the way we are now?
I would like to see us as young again with years of ministry ahead of us, and a very strong conviction of the key reason we came into being - to help people in their faith journeys. I get excited when I sense the upsurge of the search for'spirituality' and meaning in life amongst people today.
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