SACRED SCRIPTURE: A HEART TO HEART WITH GOD

BY JOAN PATTEN, AO, DELEGATE FOR CONSECRATED LIFE

“HAVE THE COURAGE to pray with Scripture in first person.”

I recall receiving this advice years ago and I can attest to the difference it has made in my own prayer life and living my vocation as a consecrated member of a secular institute. I had reached a point in my initial formation where I had to make a decision: I could continue this journey to be an Apostolic Oblate by renewing my temporary vows before making final vows or I could walk away by simply not renewing this commitment. The freshness and excitement of following the Lord and joining my institute had subsided in some ways with time, a particularly challenging assignment, and health issues. I went on a silent eight day directed retreat seeking clarity and peace. Most silent directed retreats follow St. Ignatius of Loyola who guided the retreatant by structuring the days with various hours of prayer with Sacred Scripture and spiritual direction.

The graced moment of my retreat occurred when I was directed to pray with John 17. I was still seeking answers from the Lord and wrestling with where He was calling me. Part of me wanted to quit and another part of me wanted to continue giving myself fully by consecrating my life permanently through vows. My struggle initially made praying with John 17 feel difficult and discouraging. I wasn’t receiving the consolation and answers that I sought and was tempted to walk away from this schedule hour of prayer. Ultimately, I wanted Jesus to show me that He was still calling me to be with Him. Then I recalled this advice, “Have the courage to pray with Scripture in first person.”

Instead of walking away from this time prayer, I settled into imagining Jesus praying before me as He did for the disciples in John 17. “Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world” (Jn. 17:17-18). This passage became, “Consecrate Joan in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent her into the world.” Receiving the Lord’s blessing and desire for me allowed me to continue to seek Him in this moment of prayer.

“Father, they are your gift to me.” (Jn. 17:24). This passage went deeper as well, “Father, she is your gift to me.” Knowing this truth and allowing it to define me changed everything. I experienced Jesus praying over me in thanksgiving and joy. I desired to respond with the gift of myself. My problems had not changed but I knew Jesus was with me and that was enough. Several years later, I made my final vows, and I am truly grateful for my vocation. There are many ways to pray with Sacred Scripture and we know that when we read the Bible it’s not the same as read- ing any other book. Lectio Divina which means “sacred reading,” is a form of prayer that engages our minds, hearts and imaginations as we seek to encounter Christ.

St. Augustine said, “When you read the Bible, God speaks to you; when you pray, you speak to God.”

The Bible, also known as the Word of God, is a sure way in which He reveals truth to us. Jesus is the Word of God made flesh who came to live among us. Let God speak to you through Sacred Scripture this Lent. Place yourself in the scenes. Ask Jesus questions. Let Him speak directly to you when He is addressing someone. Notice what happens in your mind and heart when you hear Jesus say your name. Let us pray for the courage to look, listen and receive the Word of God this Lent.

Joan Patten is a consecrated member of the Secular Institute of the Apostolic Oblates. She is currently the Delegate for Consecrated Life and the local director of the Pro Sanctity Spirituality Center in Fullerton, CA. Pro Sanctity is an international Catholic lay movement founded by Servant of God, Guglielmo Giaquinta in 1947. The mission of Pro Sanctity is to promote the universal call to holiness and brotherhood. Find out more at caprosanctity.org C

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Itinerant Upbringing

Born in New Jersey to Irish Catholic parents, the oldest of six children to a father who moved around a lot chasing defense industry contracts, Dunn also has lived in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland and Virginia.

She settled in Orange County for good when she was a junior in high school.

Initially planning to become a teacher, Dunn was a member of Mission Viejo High School’s first graduating class in 1971, living with friends in Orange and commuting to and from school after her family moved back to the East Coast.

She worked during high school watching children for family friends and after she graduated landed a job as a legal secretary trainee, despite having marginal typing skills.

Dunn worked for a small firm specializing in eminent domain law while attending Cal State Fullerton, where she graduated in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

“Someone kicked me in the behind and said I should go to law school,” Dunn said.

While taking classes at night at Western State University College of Law, Dunn started her own paralegal business. In that role, she helped attorneys from several L.A. and O.C. law firms on law and motion, trial briefs and general law practice issues.

After she earned her law degree in 1981, graduating in the top 20% of her class and then passing the State Bar exam on her first try, Dunn switched her shingle to “attorney.”

Six years later, she went in house as general counsel at homebuilder Signal Landmark, where she leaded the effort to settle 10-year litigation to protect the Bolsa Chica wetlands. She was the first woman on Signal Landmark’s board of directors and became the first female president of the Building Industry Association of Southern California.

Dunn also worked for the Koll Co. and Hearthside Homes before joining, in 2005, the nonprofit OCBC, which champions area businesses while working to enhance the quality of life for county residents.

‘TRUSTED LEADER’

Longtime Orange County media and communications veteran Steve Churm, who served as OCBC Board Chair with Dunn and has known her for more than two decades, said she has paved the way for women in business and politics in the region and across the state.

“If you were to ask me to describe her, I would use three words,” Churm said. “No. 1, she’s a convener – it’s one of her true God-given skills, bringing people on opposing sides of issues together. Secondly, she’s consequential – when she gets involved, there’s usually an outcome that’s positive and successful.

“No. 3, she’s always been resilient – even if she’s run into brick walls or brought opposing parties together and they haven’t resolved their differences. She doesn’t walk away. She doesn’t melt in a puddle of failure. She tries to find a way to solve the stalemate.”

Added Churm: “She can be tough. She’s focused and immensely impactful, but all the while, she’s executed her various roles based on an unwavering set of principles and values that in large part come from her strong Catholic faith.”

Another member of the 12-person OCF board, Jim Normandin, whose long involvement in philanthropy including leading the Memorial Medical Center Foundation and legacy planning at Memorial Care Health System, called Dunn a “very talented and capable leader” who has earned the respect of many in Orange

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