Sisters' Stories
Interview with Sister Michelle - working in Pakistan, previous psychiatry nursing experience
As an opener for anyone who might not know you, will you tell us your name and what you do?
I am Michelle McHale, a Sister of St. John of God. I live in Lahore, Pakistan. I am involved in Formation here - working with the newer members of the Sisters of St. John of God, coordinating primary education for poor children and some advocacy work for sick people in the village.
You were born in the West of Ireland - in mountain light and within sound of moving water. You left that and answered a call that took you to Australia. Tell us about that.
I can summarize in two words my feelings on leaving the West of Ireland and coming to West Australia to begin life with the Sisters of St John of God -- Culture Shock. Adjusting to religious life and the hospital world was very foreign to me. I remember the kindness of [Sister] Andrea supporting me through my first month - spent largely in tears. Once I settled there was no going back - the support and example of others who had gone before me sustained me and I have no regrets. I remember with deep affection the cradle of my religious life in Subiaco.
You were in the first group of John of God sisters to go to Pakistan to live in 1980. Did your life in the West of Ireland impact on your new life in Pakistan?
It was significant for me having come from a rural background - seeing green fields next door to Bethania Hospital gave joy to my heart. The situation of the hospital - on the outskirts of Sialkot city - meant it served a large number of people from the rural area. I was able to somewhat understand and accept their farming background, though largely different from Ireland due to climate, culture and religion.
When you were called to go to Pakistan you were nursing in a psychiatric hospital in Western Australia. Does that influence what you do now?
Honestly without this experience I would have never been able to cope with formation. I am eternally grateful to a psychiatrist who worked with us - namely Dr Sawday - who treated a large number of his patients with therapy. I learned much from him. Also my general nursing experience in Subiaco (Western Australia) prepared me to cope with the common medical problems and saved me many visits to doctors!
You hold an important role for those women in Pakistan who aspire to and become Sisters of St John of God. What do you think is the most important factor for a woman discerning a religious vocation?
Still a difficult question! But I would say - possessing the following qualities - faith, generosity to serve, capacity to live lovingly with different personalities and cultures, love of our charism, ability to take initiative, to change and grow through life experiences, good health, the capacity to enjoy life, and last, but not least a deep personal relationship with our Lord in prayer.
Which of your spiritual books has the most worn cover?
My bible. Different spiritual books have been very meaningful for me during the varying stages of my life, but The Bible as been for all seasons.
There have been many changes in Pakistan, but how has Pakistan changed you?
Pakistan has challenged my faith life. The example of poor people coping with their struggle in life with total dependence on God as well as their trust in my God relationship really continues to inspire my life. The growth and response in the young Pakistani Sisters during their initial formation also inspires my life. I have also learned to live with chaos, to be adaptable and more patient! All has helped me to live more interdependently.
What do you like about living in Lahore?
I particularly like living where we are presently situated in the extreme south of Lahore which is a developing area. We have villages on one side and the city on the other. There is such a variety of life in Lahore with approximately eight million people - that one would say - it's where life never sleeps!
You have become familiar with different languages. How has learning a new language affected your spirituality?
Learning a new language for me has been a very humbling experience. There is a helplessness in being unable to communicate and having to depend on others for translation. I am no expert in Urdu, the national language of the people, but gratefully have generally enough for my ministry which is a blessing for me.
If you found a bottle with a genie who would grant you 3 wishes - what changes would you make to your congregation?
What is happening right now - the
letting go of the security and risking the new - to minister on the margins,
to have a voice for the preservation of
our earth and to be involved in an inter-religious dialogue of life.
That we increase in numbers and spread to more mission areas.
That we continue to share our charism with the people we work with and
accept members with a temporary commitment to come and live with us.
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