Daly City, California
Growing up, I attended Catholic grammar and high schools. During this time I was taught that non-Catholics would not go to heaven when they died. This presented me with a moral dilemma at an early age: How could a God of love create a world full people who were born destined for anything other than heaven? This made no sense, seemed capricious, and was mean-spirited. Rather than expansive, inclusive and God-like, it seemed – well – human.
In my senior year of high school (1974), a daring new class was offered on comparative religions. Suddenly the world opened up, as I read excerpts from the Koran, Bhagavad Gita, and Buddhist texts. Each spoke to a spiritual connection that resonated deeply in my soul, and sparked a life-long search for the Divine. I came to a clear understanding that no religion can claim ownership of God.
ChI presented me with a unique opportunity to expand my understanding of the spirituality that is uniquely expressed by every human being on earth. As a nurse, I have found over and over again that what people really want is to feel accepted and held as they live through their grief, pain, and suffering. As an interfaith chaplain, I hope to find myself able to be present on an ever deeper level for those who need someone to reflect back to them their own divine nature.
