Angela Reflection

February 2023

“I ask you to take all your daughters into account, having each and every one deeply fixed in your hearts and minds.”
st. angela, second legacy

“...the player who looks least engaged may be the most committed member of the group.”
Zander and Zander, The Art of Possibility

When we look around us, we often will find a face in the room or crowd that looks somewhat disengaged—almost lost. If this happens too often, seeing the same face with the same look, we are tempted to draw the conclusion that s/he is bored or shy or not interested. 

In reality, if we ourselves would invite one such person into conversation, we might very well find that s/he is soaking in everything that is being said and is very much into what is happening. It just doesn’t show on the outside. Once we move into engaging this person, one on one, we see that there is interest and even commitment for what is occurring. Don’t judge a book by its’ cover, we’ve heard over and over.

Each person has a unique way of becoming involved in something and it may not always be in a “splashy” sort of way. Some people operate with more reserve, are less demonstrative, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t listening or aren’t interested.

We have to get to know the person for who s/he really is. Caring for the individual as a unique person is one of St. Angela’s values we need to embody. “…Have everyone deeply fixed in your hearts and minds.”

Sister Donna Frey, OSU
Ursuline and Catholic Identity