Joanna Satorius
EDITOR’S NOTE: A church community is created when people gather together for the love of God. At the same time, Saint Philip’s is comprised of many people who represent different ages, life experiences, and world views.
The “In conversation…” series is one attempt to create possibilities for connection between the different people in our community. As varied as we all are, there are also similarities and mutual interests waiting to be discovered. And there is one thing we all share: a desire to know God and be in relationship with him.
This week’s conversation is with Saint Philip’s parishioner and volunteer, Joanna Satorius.
How long have you worshiped at Saint Philip’s?
Since I moved here from Los Angeles in 2020.
What brought you to Tucson?
Relationships principally. My sister lives here with her husband, parishioner David Hass, and my friend Mtr Mary moved here in 2018.
Were you raised in a faith tradition?
I’m a cradle Episcopalian. I grew up in a rural community in Wisconsin—north of Milwaukee. My mother was one of the people who established the small church we attended. It was a little white, clapboard church. Sunday School was in the undercroft.
How are you involved in the parish?
My principle role is to preside at the 12:15pm Tuesday healing service. And I participate in Saint Philip’s College of Clergy—a group of priests and deacons affiliated with the parish.
I’ve also led retreats for the Vestry and the Pastoral Care Commission. Projects like those tap into the ministry I did in Los Angeles.
What was your ministry in the Diocese of Los Angeles?
I was initially rector of St. George’s Church in Riverside, California. Later I worked for the diocese as Canon for Clergy Formation and Transition Ministry. That dealt with clergy coming and going.
What’s something you know now that as a new priest you didn’t?
I’ve learned that the church is not who comes through the doors of worship. The church is who we serve; it’s the people who have a need.
How do you stay grounded in that knowledge?
There’s a wonderful quote by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin: We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.
This quote encourages me to be attentive to what the Celts call “thin places.” Those sites where you are aware of the presence of the Holy.
The Chapel of the Nativity—our little chapel off the main church—is such a place for me.
What’s something you’re proud of?
I’m proud of my two girls. They’re intelligent, open, receptive, and doing their own things. As a mother, I feel very secure that they will be fine. And they’re loving individuals which means they’re a blessing to others.
What’s a core value?
Congruence. I want my insides and my outsides to touch.
Do you have a favorite prayer?
“Support us all the day long” by John Henry Newman
O Lord, support us all the day long
till the shadows lengthen
and the evening comes
and the busy world is hushed
and the fever of life is over
and our work is done.
Then in your mercy,
grant us a safe lodging
and a holy rest
and peace at the last.
What’s one of your guiding principles?
Optimism. Somewhere along my spiritual journey I learned that I am accompanied by Christ. I didn’t seek this assurance, and I don’t remember learning it per se. But I now perceive myself as being accompanied.
And that helps me move forward even when I’m flat on my back. As a result, I don’t ever remember feeling despair.
What’s something you’re grateful for?
Looking back, I can see that I have been shown a direction or been introduced to new adventures. I am grateful for that guidance. My life course has not been created entirely by my own design.
Can you share an example of when this happened?
Prior to entering seminary I was married with two children. I couldn’t imagine how combining those two worlds would be possible.
During a visit with my family in Milwaukee, a friend of my mother’s invited me to go sailing. While on the water we talked and she said, “I’ve put some money aside for you. I’m not asking if you’d like it but my preference would be to give it to you now so you can put it to good use as soon as possible.” It was truly a gift from God. It paid my seminary tuition for the next year.
What’s one of your super powers?
Receptivity. I try to listen for “what’s wanting to happen?”
How does that work?
It relates to my work training and competing with dogs.
At one point, I trained a dear, loving Labrador Retriever named Jeep who was an Obedience Trial Champion. Her name stood for Jo’s General Purpose Vehicle.
But most of my training work was helping people with puppies. My ultimate goal was to avoid the pups being returned to the pound.
Along the way, I realized that I have a gift for non-verbal communication. I learned to listen deeply, to sense what dogs were communicating, and to share that with owners who took my classes.
Meanwhile, all this was having a profound effect on me—as much as on the dogs and their owners. I became more aware that my relationship with God is about receptivity and sensitivity and listening.
What’s something you’re passionate about?
Formation. And I learned that through my work with dogs and their owners.
When Bishop Bruno (at the time the diocesan head in Los Angeles) called me to serve on his staff, he asked me to help facilitate connections between congregations and their rectors.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I have a motorcycle license. The funny part is that I learned how to ride a motorcycle because I wanted to buy a Vespa. I took the police course and then bought the cutest yellow Vespa with brown leather appointments. I eventually sold the Vespa but I still have the helmet.
Missed an interview? All previous interviews can be found on Saint Philip’s website under the “About Us” tab. Click here to visit that page.