How did your desire to be a woman religious or sister become clear or grow in your life?

     I really think I inherited my religious vocation simply because I had such endearing parents who sent us to Catholic grade schools and we were exposed to the Louisville Ursuline Sisters who influenced my life a great deal.  I remember each and every one of them with admiration.  They were great teachers and very human, warm, and loved the children they taught.  By fifth or sixth grade, I began thinking about religious life.  Sister Alberta recognized my gift of music and gave me lots of opportunities to sing and lead the music.  I was appointed to teach the young boys how to be altar servers at Mass.  By seventh and eighth grade, I was open to the idea of a vocation but no one said anything in particular to lead me in that direction.  I just loved to pray and I prayed a lot.  I never missed an opportunity to attend Mass, even on Saturday.  I then went to a public high school for two years and after my sophomore year, I felt the call to be a nun.  I was going to the Louisville Ursulines, but my mother, being a wise woman, knew I needed to be away from home for a while.  So I attended Mount Saint Joseph Academy and it was there I was most sure that I had a religious vocation.  I fought it, but knew it was for me.  I entered in September 1949.

Are you happy in what you are doing?  How do you find it fulfilling?  If you are retired what ministry gave you the most excitement?

     I inherited a sense of humor from my father, John, who always found life a joy to live.  My mother never complained and accepted 11 children from God.  She was quiet and very serene. How could I not be happy in what I am doing with that kind of example?  I am now the coordinator of the spiritual component of the ministry formation program at Brescia University and I love working with retreats and spiritual direction.  The beauty of young people so happy, prayerful and involved in youth ministry and other church-related activities make my day.  Of course, I am happy.  I find it fulfilling to be a part of their spiritual life as well as my own.  Can you imagine people in their twenties having a spiritual director?  They are very faithful to a monthly meeting with the spiritual director.  They also know how to be sociable and find laughter in the smallest things.  Simplicity is their gift.  They like conversation and ask a lot of questions.  I also find it fulfilling to have some extra time to be available to them in their needs.

     I retired from the Retreat Center in January 2006.  It was a smart move on my part because I was trying to hold down two jobs.  I was always in a quandary about how much time to give to each of them.  Now I’m more focused.  I was a principal in various schools, director of religious education in parishes, as well in the Diocesan Office.  I taught piano, guitar and organ lessons on the side, as well as music in elementary schools.  I was a primary, elementary, junior high and high school teacher in religious education.  All of these experiences were very rewarding, some more demanding than others.  My favorite place and ministry in all my days was being the director of religious education in Bloomfield, N.M.  My heart was filled by the people, kids, environment, pastor, and in every way.  It was the greatest blessing of my life.  I was also responsible for working with the kids in the music area for Liturgies and training students on guitar to help me play for the Masses.  I was blessed by the culture and all the various activities.  I was on a bowling team with some of the women of the parish.  I took Communion to the sick in nursing homes as well as in their individual homes.  I went to their homes and taught piano lessons and then would sit down to enchiladas, sopapillas, taco salad, etc.  Our salaries were minimal but they gave freely of their gifts and talents.

     I was a busy woman but very satisfied and fulfilled in every way.  My next mission closest to that was in Grants, N.M.  So if you really want to know what ministry gave me excitement and fulfillment just look at my face when someone mentions New Mexico.  To this day I am in communication with the people through letters, phone calls and Christmas gifts.  The memories I have still linger in my heart and my very being.  I LOVE THOSE PEOPLE!

What is the most important thing an Ursuline Sister does?

     The greatest gift we can offer as an Ursuline Sister is our HOSPITALITY.  This must include everyone whom God puts in our way of life.  I had the privilege of being a warm and welcoming presence for 16 years at Mount Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center.  Nothing, I mean nothing, is more important to me than being gracious to all those who come to our Home, wherever we are.