My Vocation Story

When in grade school, one of my girlfriends and I made plans for a new Community of Sisters that would be a little more modern.

We even designed pink habits!

When I got to high school, I met a very different kind of Sisters. The Daughters of Charity were so outgoing, friendly, joyful, interactive with each other and with us. These qualities I did not witness in the Sisters I had in grade school. It was a delight to get to know the Daughters. And they were good teachers.

They involved us in their ministry to the very Poor in the area. They let us accompany them on visits to their homes. We formed a service group called the “Louisettes” after their foundress St. Louise de Marillac. They also invited us to belong to the “Children of Mary” which nourished our prayer life and our devotion to Blessed Mother.

With an interest in boys, I forgot for a time about joining or founding a Community of Sisters! But by senior year, I felt inclined to consider it again. On first Fridays of each month, we took turns spending an hour at adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament exposed in the parish church. I remember on one such occasion praying very earnestly for God to let me know what He wanted of me, and ended by pleading, “Please want me to be Daughter of Charity!” A few months later I made application to join the Community.

My first 43 years were spent in teaching in elementary schools. I was a good and a creative teacher. I liked to make learning fun. In 1997 I had brain surgery for aneurysms. After that I was assigned to assist our sick and elderly retired Sisters in our Villa. Best job I ever had! I love being with them. I describe my job as “walking with the wise.” I feel I can share all the talents God has given to me right here in the Villa. I take seriously the mandate the Community gives to the Sisters in the Villa: to pray for new vocations to take the places of all these wise women who have carried the world on their shoulders in their day.