Now I Know

by Greg Tobin

President and Publisher, RENEW International

In June, I was privileged to meet with Anna Marie Sopko, a CUSA member who served the CUSA community for decades as administrator. Along with Mare Ernesto, associate director of pastoral services at RENEW International, and Dolores Steinberg, editor of this magazine and a longtime friend and supporter of CUSA and CUSANs, I visited in the garden of Peace Care St. Ann’s, an assisted-living center in Jersey City, New Jersey.

It was a warm summer afternoon (though the temperatures here in New Jersey and elsewhere across the United States have intensified during these intervening weeks), which started out a bit uncomfortably but was soon tempered by a breeze and a partly cloudy sky. The conversation was amazing and, for me, opened a window into the life and mission of CUSA in a way I had not expected.

At one point in the lively discussion and sharing of experience, Anna Marie said, “God created people to be happy.” She said, further, “I am happy!” The joy was clear in her voice, her face, and her entire being. Anna Marie has been afflicted by chronic conditions for virtually her entire lifetime, which brought her into the CUSA community but which have never hobbled her in any way—as evidenced by her many years of enthusiastic, prayerful service in fostering and supporting CUSA

letter groups. She has participated fully in the ministry that has touched thousands of women and men during CUSA’s seven-plus decades of existence.

She also said, “CUSA is a part of me.” And in the anecdotes, memories, and information she shared with us, Anna Marie demonstrated what she meant. Sometimes I strained a bit to understand exactly her spoken words (since she has been affected by strokes in recent years). But that was nothing to bother. It only drew me in closer to see and hear and understand. To receive her blessing.

Now I know what I did not know before. Now I know, by reading the correspondence of CUSA groups who have invited me to join them, by praying with and being the beneficiary of prayers by my CUSA friends. Now I know. As if I needed to be taught yet again (i.e., another “whack upside the head” type of spiritual experience). CUSA links us to God’s grace in a powerful way; CUSA unlocks the healing connection with our Creator. CUSA works. Because, as Anna Marie would say, “God works.”

God has created us to be children of joy. Whatever physical, mental, and emotional afflictions I may suffer— or my family or those around me or those far away—I am a part of a healing, loving whole. It is available to me. God is available to me. You are available to me.

I wish to fulfill the divine plan in my own small way by being available to you and to those close to me. Through the grace of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.