Contemplation Corner
SISTERS' REFLECTIONS
Jane Boland, OP
What were one or two things that helped you discern your call to religious life? What drew you to the congregation?
The “call” is still a mystery to me! Even after all these years, I remember well the time I decided to “try out religious life” (freshman year of college in the middle of the night). I contacted my parents to let them know -- and they were just fine with “try it out”. Making that decision relieved the somewhat unsettled feelings I had been experiencing. I had a feeling it was the right decision, and it was! I know I had thought about being a Sister during my youth but had decided “no way” by the time I finished high school. Took less than a year to change that determination! Over 50 years later I am still happy in having answered the “call”.
Why Sinsinawa Dominicans? I was well acquainted with them having attended St. Clara Academy (which was located at the Mound). I really did not look into any other congregation or order. Am very happy my limited selection worked out well!
Mary Ann Miller, OP
I am Mary Ann Miller. OP from Omaha Nebraska. We belonged to St. Cecilia’s Cathedral Parish, but I went to a public grade school. I wasn’t from a religious family, but my parents made me go to Sunday School where I met the Sinsinawa Dominicans Sisters for the first time. My parents insisted on my attending the Parish high school, where most of the teachers were Sisters. This experience of the Sisters was very different than the first. They exhibited prayerfulness, intelligence, professionalism and humor. I witnessed them having fun with each other. It was fun to be around them. My senior year I began to think about becoming a religious. I knew my parents would not be in favor of that decision, so I tried to push it out of my mind.
As I reflect back on what happened in the next ten months after graduation, I can only give credit to Holy Spirit, Who in a sense took charge. I believe he guided me to do one of the smartest things I did. I asked a priest to be my Spiritual Director. The next few months were filled with indecision. Father then told me to put it out of my head, but continue to go to daily Mass. He said if the Lord wants me, He will let me know. One morning at Mass, I went to Confession to my Spiritual Director. What came out of my mouth was a surprise to me and him. “Father, I have to go now.” He said he would talk to the sisters and have them call me. In the absence of parental support, the Sisters helped me, supported me and told me what to expect.
My Spiritual Director stayed with me until he was called to heaven. There have been many sisters throughout the years who have supported me, called me to be a better person and religious and have loved me. There is no way I would be a Religious today without the Spirit working in and through each of us.
Judy Lund, OP
My cousin, a Viatorian priest, advised me to visit the Sinsinawa Dominicans. He had the opportunity to take classes at Rosary from a Sister "Stevie" ( our own Sister Marie Stephen). He felt she was the prize example of what a Religious should be. I had never heard of the Dominicans, except St. Thomas Aquinas whose writings amazed me. I had visited 2 other Orders, but was not impressed. I journeyed to the Mound and when the front doors opened, I heard delightful peals of joyful laughter which let my heart know I was "home". Sinsinawa Dominicans exude JOY with their gifts of laughter and compassion.
Fran Gesuale, OP
Everyone’s vocation begins in the family. My mother came with her parents from Italy, and my father came with three of his brothers to the United States while his parents and other siblings remained in Italy. My parents had nine children: six boys and three girls. One day my brother Joseph (age 14) told my parents that he wanted to go to the seminary. His vocation changed the dynamic in our family, and I began to read the books of saints’ lives he brought home in the summers. The seed of my vocation was thus planted while I was in high school. My actual journey into religious life began in September 1960, when I entered the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of Chestnut Hill, Mass., but ended in 1963 with my illness, surgery, and subsequent dismissal. I asked the Lord—if you want me to continue to explore religious life, help me!
One day, in a waiting room, I picked up a magazine called The Sign, and read an ad for the Dominican Mission Sisters (Chicago). I decided to write them, and when I got a letter of acceptance, I was overjoyed. This community, founded in 1955 by the Dominican friar Jordan Aumann, O.P., was different from more “traditional” ones—it accepted older women, teachers, nurses, those with various professions, and had missions in Latin America. In these years before Vatican II, it was in some ways ahead of its time; perhaps because of this, the community (and Father Aumann) drew the disfavor of Cardinal Cody after his 1965 appointment as Archbishop of Chicago. He disbanded the community, telling the sisters to choose to enter other communities or leave religious life. My thought was—dear Lord, here I go again!
In 1966, two of us transferred to the Kenosha Dominican Sisters. But again, a new path lay ahead, because in 1994 a Kenosha Chapter presented all of us with various options for the future. Many decided to remain, but a few of us decided to explore other options, including Vicki Lauria, Mary Jane Quinn, Judy Parent, and myself. We learned about the Sinsinawa Dominicans, and our exploration led to a warm welcome from Sister Jean McSweeney, Prioress, and her Council. My journey, after many unexpected turns in “the road,” has brought me home!
Elizabeth Dunn, OP
What helped you discern your call to religious life?
The Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa were my teachers in grade school and high school in Madison, Wisconsin. The Sisters who taught me witnessed faithfulness to the mission, compassion for their students, and commitment to building community in and out of the classroom. They shared a spirit of joy that was “catchy” and, as a young person both in grade school and high school, I wanted to be like them and share in their life.
My discernment to “the call” to religious life was the desire to follow in the lifestyle of the sisters who taught me, when I decided to enter their congregation, they were there to support me. I entered the Sinsinawa Dominican congregation after high school, the first year and those many years that followed have been pure gift. My call to the life as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa for 56 years is nothing short of a miracle !
What drew you to the congregation?
Stories about the wonderful Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters from my grandmother’s family, my dad’s family and my siblings who all attended Catholic schools in Madison, Wisconsin that were staffed by the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa. My grandmother’s sisters attended Sacred Heart Academy (now Edgewood High School) so you can see how far back the Dominicans have influenced me and my family.
I didn’t really know other Congregations of Sisters except the Sisters from Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, the Dominicans were everywhere in Madison, Wisconsin. Therefore it was not a difficult choice to enter a congregation that was well known to me.
Monice Kavanaugh, OP
My vocation was never a prolonged process of decision-making. It was and continues to be a deep conviction, one that has never left me. Once I learned, sometime during my early grade school days, that a nurse’s life included administering shots, I immediately dropped my first thoughts about what I would be in the future. From then on, when I thought about it, which was hardly often, I simply knew that I would be a sister. That I would serve God’s people.
Although I am a Southside Chicago girl my family had moved to Oak Park by the time I was of high school age. I chose to attend Trinity High School and encountered the Sinsinawa Dominican world: the sisters were excellent educators; they liked us; and they enjoyed one another. I entered the community the September after graduation.
Our community has offered me a life compelled by a common mission, supported by companions with shared values, and including the challenge to live out of compassion and justice. In these ways it is a home for my spirit.
My ministry began with an assignment to teach fourth grade in the Bronx, New York, and wound its way to my last official ministry as the director of a learning center that serves African American and Latino adults on the Westside of Chicago.
The Learning Center includes in its mission statement our belief that “education is liberating.” This captures a thread that has persisted throughout my ministerial life: each person has a right to an education, to pursue truth, to have a voice and to be respected. I remain committed to this belief and continue to try to live it out in volunteer work at a shelter for homeless women. As Mary Oliver writes:
A lifetime isn’t long enough for the beauty of this world
and the responsibilities of your life.
Lystra Long, OP
Jane Boland, OP
What were one or two things that helped you discern your call to religious life? What drew you to the congregation?
The “call” is still a mystery to me! Even after all these years, I remember well the time I decided to “try out religious life” (freshman year of college in the middle of the night). I contacted my parents to let them know -- and they were just fine with “try it out”. Making that decision relieved the somewhat unsettled feelings I had been experiencing. I had a feeling it was the right decision, and it was! I know I had thought about being a Sister during my youth but had decided “no way” by the time I finished high school. Took less than a year to change that determination! Over 50 years later I am still happy in having answered the “call”.
Why Sinsinawa Dominicans? I was well acquainted with them having attended St. Clara Academy (which was located at the Mound). I really did not look into any other congregation or order. Am very happy my limited selection worked out well!
Mary Ann Miller, OP
I am Mary Ann Miller. OP from Omaha Nebraska. We belonged to St. Cecilia’s Cathedral Parish, but I went to a public grade school. I wasn’t from a religious family, but my parents made me go to Sunday School where I met the Sinsinawa Dominicans Sisters for the first time. My parents insisted on my attending the Parish high school, where most of the teachers were Sisters. This experience of the Sisters was very different than the first. They exhibited prayerfulness, intelligence, professionalism and humor. I witnessed them having fun with each other. It was fun to be around them. My senior year I began to think about becoming a religious. I knew my parents would not be in favor of that decision, so I tried to push it out of my mind.
My Spiritual Director stayed with me until he was called to heaven. There have been many sisters throughout the years who have supported me, called me to be a better person and religious and have loved me. There is no way I would be a Religious today without the Spirit working in and through each of us.
Judy Lund, OP
Fran Gesuale, OP
What helped you discern your call to religious life?
The Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa were my teachers in grade school and high school in Madison, Wisconsin. The Sisters who taught me witnessed faithfulness to the mission, compassion for their students, and commitment to building community in and out of the classroom. They shared a spirit of joy that was “catchy” and, as a young person both in grade school and high school, I wanted to be like them and share in their life.
My discernment to “the call” to religious life was the desire to follow in the lifestyle of the sisters who taught me, when I decided to enter their congregation, they were there to support me. I entered the Sinsinawa Dominican congregation after high school, the first year and those many years that followed have been pure gift. My call to the life as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa for 56 years is nothing short of a miracle !
What drew you to the congregation?
Stories about the wonderful Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters from my grandmother’s family, my dad’s family and my siblings who all attended Catholic schools in Madison, Wisconsin that were staffed by the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa. My grandmother’s sisters attended Sacred Heart Academy (now Edgewood High School) so you can see how far back the Dominicans have influenced me and my family.
I didn’t really know other Congregations of Sisters except the Sisters from Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, the Dominicans were everywhere in Madison, Wisconsin. Therefore it was not a difficult choice to enter a congregation that was well known to me.
My vocation was never a prolonged process of decision-making. It was and continues to be a deep conviction, one that has never left me. Once I learned, sometime during my early grade school days, that a nurse’s life included administering shots, I immediately dropped my first thoughts about what I would be in the future. From then on, when I thought about it, which was hardly often, I simply knew that I would be a sister. That I would serve God’s people.
Although I am a Southside Chicago girl my family had moved to Oak Park by the time I was of high school age. I chose to attend Trinity High School and encountered the Sinsinawa Dominican world: the sisters were excellent educators; they liked us; and they enjoyed one another. I entered the community the September after graduation.
Our community has offered me a life compelled by a common mission, supported by companions with shared values, and including the challenge to live out of compassion and justice. In these ways it is a home for my spirit.
My ministry began with an assignment to teach fourth grade in the Bronx, New York, and wound its way to my last official ministry as the director of a learning center that serves African American and Latino adults on the Westside of Chicago.
The Learning Center includes in its mission statement our belief that “education is liberating.” This captures a thread that has persisted throughout my ministerial life: each person has a right to an education, to pursue truth, to have a voice and to be respected. I remain committed to this belief and continue to try to live it out in volunteer work at a shelter for homeless women. As Mary Oliver writes:
A lifetime isn’t long enough for the beauty of this world
and the responsibilities of your life.
What were one or two things that helped you discern your call to religious life?
I had initially run from religious life because I felt I was not holy or pious enough. I felt I would not be happy, however, seventeen years later God has proven me wrong again and again. I am living a joy-filled and fulfilled life as a religious sister. Like all vocations there are good days and not so good days, however, I am so glad I eventually said yes. It has been the best decision of my life!
I never really wanted to be a sister; hence I had a problem from the beginning. I wanted to have a “regular life” and get married and have kids, however, I felt that God was calling me to religious life. After years of running from my call I stopped one day and decided to discern this call. I did a few “come and see weekends” and I also sought the guidance of spiritually grounded persons who were able to give me the support and guidance I needed to discern well. I also prayed a lot.
What drew you to the congregation?
I was first drawn to Sinsinawa Dominicans by a sister named Jean Tranel, OP. Her exuberance, passion, joy, and love of being a sister and for religious life and just for life in general was my first introduction to the congregation. God used Jean to bring me to the congregation.
I have stayed over the years because of my relationship with Sinsinawa Dominicans sisters and associates. Their joy and love for each other and for justice and truth and Dominican life has been my impetus for preserving. I have seen myself continue to grow and blossom into who God created me to be. I owe a large part of this growth to the love from my parents and my Sinsinawa Dominican sisters and associates. They are all my motivation and inspiration.
Gail Jagroop, OPSomewhere in my late twenties I had an experience of being loved by Jesus so totally that the only response I could make was to give my life to Him. At the time I had no desire to become a Religious Sister so I chose the single life. Single life freed me to volunteer for various ministries in the Diocese as well as have a full time job as a teacher in a High School. I found this to be a very fulfilling, happy and satisfying life of prayer and action.
As time went on however I began to experience a restlessness in my heart. By this time I was in my early forties and wondering – Okay God, what now? What next?
It happened that a group to which I belonged organized a day of reflection. In typical charismatic style the facilitators invited us to come forward to be prayed with individually. When it was my turn, the woman praying with me said after a while: “Gail. Why are you resisting your vocation?” Needless to say my mouth dropped open. ‘What!”
Then she gave me a phone number and said “Call Sr. Jean Tranel.”
Sr. Jean at the time was the Vocational Director of Sinsinawa Dominicans in Trinidad. I spoke to my Spiritual Director about it and he said: “Give it a try.”
I did. And the rest is history.
I am now professed for 10 years. My journey has made some turns but I have no doubt that it was/is God leading me on and that each step of the journey prepared me for the next one. But, I had to risk taking the next step.
If you are reading this and contemplating religious life, don’t be afraid to take that next step. God will also lead you on.
Mary Ann Carroll, OP
When I was a senior in high school, our parish priest asked to see me. He wondered if I had ever thought about becoming a Dominican Sister. I had, on and off. After the conversation I began to pray about the decision. I went to Mass every morning and asked God for guidance about my future. In case I didn’t hear anything from God, I applied to Chicago Teachers’ College. I was accepted there but still felt a desire to go to the Mound. Come and see Mary Ann. Come and see were the words that I kept hearing. I entered the congregation on September 8, 1960. I have never regretted my decision “to come and see”.
I was taught by Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters in grade and high school. I observed individuals who were happy, holy and fun. They were good teachers who made learning a pleasure. They were never harsh or mean spirited. They enjoyed each other’s company.
Our congregation is very special. Our sisters have a genuine love and respect for one another. Our gatherings are marked by honest and open sharing. The Spirit continues to bless us with the leadership of wise women.
Judy Parent, OP
“How can someone in their teens know they want to be a nun?” my sister queried unbelievably a few years ago.
It’s a mystery to ME why I became a sister. My family didn’t suggest it. My parents had a bad experience with the church and ended up leaving it. My siblings, their descendants and many other relatives are not affiliated with a church. Some became hardened atheists.
It wasn’t sisters teaching me in grade/high school that encouraged me to join the convent. I attended public schools all my life. I can’t point to or remember anything specific that pushed me to enter.
In the 1960s, many American congregations advertised in Our Sunday Visitor newspaper. I wrote to them all. In my early twenties and from western Canada, I travelled 2000 miles to join the Dominicans in Kenosha, Wisconsin. I liked the Dominican habit; I liked that Truth was important to Dominicans; and I liked the Dominican missions of teaching and healthcare.
It was quite a shock to my family that I wanted to be a sister let alone one in Wisconsin – “You are going to the ends of the earth” one relative exclaimed! I knew nothing about Dominicans, very little about sisters, and even less about Wisconsin. I just knew I wanted to be a sister.
In 1994, I was one of 5 sisters who transferred from Kenosha to the Sinsinawa congregation. The warm, caring spirit of the Sinsinawa sisters made it a joy to join a Dominican congregation for a second time! Sinsinawa sisters are truly Jesus and Mission-centered. The congregation is respected and admired all across America. Any woman joining Sinsinawa will experience that same joyful, Christ-centered community life. God bless your discernment.
Eileen Brynda, OP
“The Hound of Heaven” (1893)
I can relate to this poem by Francis Thompson. When I was about 11, my sister told me she was entering the Dominicans. My reaction: Why would anyone turn from a future with a husband and children for such a lonely life? I wanted to be a teacher as well as wife and mother. As Junior and Senior in high school, I thought about Religious Life, but I wasn’t interested! I even avoided a parish priest who talked to classmates about the Convent. Our family had visited Jan at Edgewood College in the summer. Because I loved the Campus, I applied there for college. It had a good program for teachers, and I was ready to experience some independence away from home!
I loved Edgewood: new friends, good teachers, a degree of independence, UW Frat parties, many great experiences. As an underclassman, I had this nagging “pull” that I belonged in the convent, which I resisted. I had other plans! It was so strong that I after Sophomore year, I entered the Sinsinawa Dominicans, thoroughly convinced that I would get it out of my system, leave after a short time, and go on with life! Sometime during that winter, I was called to the Postulant Mistress’s office. I was in a panic wondering if I were being sent home. I realized for the first time; I didn’t want to go home. Formation years were hard as my independence was gone. I took temporary vows still looking for “the burning bush”. My dedication to religious life was solidified at my first mission. The wonderful community and my superior Sr. Marie Donald helped me realize I was where I was meant to be. What a wonderful journey it has been! Every day, I thank God for nagging me and blessing my life in so many ways!
What drew you to the congregation?
I was first drawn to Sinsinawa Dominicans by a sister named Jean Tranel, OP. Her exuberance, passion, joy, and love of being a sister and for religious life and just for life in general was my first introduction to the congregation. God used Jean to bring me to the congregation.
I have stayed over the years because of my relationship with Sinsinawa Dominicans sisters and associates. Their joy and love for each other and for justice and truth and Dominican life has been my impetus for preserving. I have seen myself continue to grow and blossom into who God created me to be. I owe a large part of this growth to the love from my parents and my Sinsinawa Dominican sisters and associates. They are all my motivation and inspiration.
Somewhere in my late twenties I had an experience of being loved by Jesus so totally that the only response I could make was to give my life to Him. At the time I had no desire to become a Religious Sister so I chose the single life. Single life freed me to volunteer for various ministries in the Diocese as well as have a full time job as a teacher in a High School. I found this to be a very fulfilling, happy and satisfying life of prayer and action.
As time went on however I began to experience a restlessness in my heart. By this time I was in my early forties and wondering – Okay God, what now? What next?
It happened that a group to which I belonged organized a day of reflection. In typical charismatic style the facilitators invited us to come forward to be prayed with individually. When it was my turn, the woman praying with me said after a while: “Gail. Why are you resisting your vocation?” Needless to say my mouth dropped open. ‘What!”
Then she gave me a phone number and said “Call Sr. Jean Tranel.”
Sr. Jean at the time was the Vocational Director of Sinsinawa Dominicans in Trinidad. I spoke to my Spiritual Director about it and he said: “Give it a try.”
I did. And the rest is history.
I am now professed for 10 years. My journey has made some turns but I have no doubt that it was/is God leading me on and that each step of the journey prepared me for the next one. But, I had to risk taking the next step.
If you are reading this and contemplating religious life, don’t be afraid to take that next step. God will also lead you on.
Mary Ann Carroll, OP
When I was a senior in high school, our parish priest asked to see me. He wondered if I had ever thought about becoming a Dominican Sister. I had, on and off. After the conversation I began to pray about the decision. I went to Mass every morning and asked God for guidance about my future. In case I didn’t hear anything from God, I applied to Chicago Teachers’ College. I was accepted there but still felt a desire to go to the Mound. Come and see Mary Ann. Come and see were the words that I kept hearing. I entered the congregation on September 8, 1960. I have never regretted my decision “to come and see”.
I was taught by Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters in grade and high school. I observed individuals who were happy, holy and fun. They were good teachers who made learning a pleasure. They were never harsh or mean spirited. They enjoyed each other’s company.
Our congregation is very special. Our sisters have a genuine love and respect for one another. Our gatherings are marked by honest and open sharing. The Spirit continues to bless us with the leadership of wise women.
Judy Parent, OP
“How can someone in their teens know they want to be a nun?” my sister queried unbelievably a few years ago.
It’s a mystery to ME why I became a sister. My family didn’t suggest it. My parents had a bad experience with the church and ended up leaving it. My siblings, their descendants and many other relatives are not affiliated with a church. Some became hardened atheists.
It wasn’t sisters teaching me in grade/high school that encouraged me to join the convent. I attended public schools all my life. I can’t point to or remember anything specific that pushed me to enter.
In the 1960s, many American congregations advertised in Our Sunday Visitor newspaper. I wrote to them all. In my early twenties and from western Canada, I travelled 2000 miles to join the Dominicans in Kenosha, Wisconsin. I liked the Dominican habit; I liked that Truth was important to Dominicans; and I liked the Dominican missions of teaching and healthcare.
It was quite a shock to my family that I wanted to be a sister let alone one in Wisconsin – “You are going to the ends of the earth” one relative exclaimed! I knew nothing about Dominicans, very little about sisters, and even less about Wisconsin. I just knew I wanted to be a sister.
In 1994, I was one of 5 sisters who transferred from Kenosha to the Sinsinawa congregation. The warm, caring spirit of the Sinsinawa sisters made it a joy to join a Dominican congregation for a second time! Sinsinawa sisters are truly Jesus and Mission-centered. The congregation is respected and admired all across America. Any woman joining Sinsinawa will experience that same joyful, Christ-centered community life. God bless your discernment.
Eileen Brynda, OP
“The Hound of Heaven” (1893)
I can relate to this poem by Francis Thompson. When I was about 11, my sister told me she was entering the Dominicans. My reaction: Why would anyone turn from a future with a husband and children for such a lonely life? I wanted to be a teacher as well as wife and mother. As Junior and Senior in high school, I thought about Religious Life, but I wasn’t interested! I even avoided a parish priest who talked to classmates about the Convent. Our family had visited Jan at Edgewood College in the summer. Because I loved the Campus, I applied there for college. It had a good program for teachers, and I was ready to experience some independence away from home!
I loved Edgewood: new friends, good teachers, a degree of independence, UW Frat parties, many great experiences. As an underclassman, I had this nagging “pull” that I belonged in the convent, which I resisted. I had other plans! It was so strong that I after Sophomore year, I entered the Sinsinawa Dominicans, thoroughly convinced that I would get it out of my system, leave after a short time, and go on with life! Sometime during that winter, I was called to the Postulant Mistress’s office. I was in a panic wondering if I were being sent home. I realized for the first time; I didn’t want to go home. Formation years were hard as my independence was gone. I took temporary vows still looking for “the burning bush”. My dedication to religious life was solidified at my first mission. The wonderful community and my superior Sr. Marie Donald helped me realize I was where I was meant to be. What a wonderful journey it has been! Every day, I thank God for nagging me and blessing my life in so many ways!
I believe that some of the things that helped me discern religious life was my experiences with communities. The first one was my summer experiences on staff at a Catholic summer youth camp. We built community among ourselves over the six weeks of the program and with a new group of campers each week. I grew each summer as we built community through activity, prayer and eucharistic celebrations and building community in this way just felt right. A year after graduating from college I became an Apostolic Volunteer, now known as Dominican Volunteers. I am from a small town in upstate New York and this was the first time I met the Sinsinawa Dominicans. My two years as an AV living with the Sinsinawa Dominican community, experiencing leading prayer, shopping, cooking being a participating member of another community, it all just felt right. It was a fit. I believe this feeling of fit was how I was guided by the spirit, by God, by Jesus to make this life choice.
I believe another thing that helped me discern religious life was the message given through song. At two key points of decision making there were songs that spoke to me. The first discernment about becoming an AV was the song “Climb Every Mountain”. Then came the end of my second year as an AV while I was discerning entering and again another song, the spirit speaking to me through the song “Here I Am Lord”. The spirit has many ways of speaking to us, all we need to do is be willing to listen with an open heart.
I had wonderful role models as teachers for 12 years. Their attitude toward learning was always positive. I found them to be happy people who enjoyed being with each other. They also had a radical streak which allowed them to be current and active on challenging world events: they were involved in the Civil Rights Movement. This impressed me as a young child. They thought outside the box and were on the cutting edge of innovation through education and personal motivation. “To see one Sinsinawa Dominican is to see just one Sinsinawa Dominican.” They were relational seeing each student as an individual. They were holy women. These qualities called out to me.
My mother taught me to pray to God like God was my brother who loves me. For this reason, I always ask God to be with me all the time, to guide me. I pray when I leave home and thank when I get back. I do not make it a show, just inside me. And one of the things I asked, from a very early age was to do God’s will. The rest is that I have been pleased with the life I have. God has been wonderful with me!
What drew you to the congregation?
Barbara Becker OP
No angel appeared to me. I lived in a family that prayed before meals, went to church every Sunday and took part in any special devotions such as the Stations of the Cross, Holy Week services, special missions and religious education. I was instilled with a deep Faith. There was a gentle hint from my eighth-grade teacher that at least one person in a good family should enter religious life. I knew I had a good family. I tried to talk myself out of this crazy idea, but it didn’t work. Here I am 64 years later. I feel that God keeps in close touch with me through good times and bad.
Besides my family, the Sinsinawa Dominicans were a major influence. I grew up in Faribault Minnesota. The three grade schools and the High School, Bethlehem Academy were run by the Sinsinawa Dominicans. God drew me to them through their example.
Each day I continue discerning my vocation. Discernment never stops. I continue thanking God for the many ways I have been blessed through years of teaching, friendship, and opportunities to teach, preach and be blessed. I thank God for continuing leading me to new adventures and sending to be with people who encourage me and make me excited about my ministry. And I ask myself what’s next!
“You did not choose me; it was I who chose you
and sent you to go and bear much fruit, fruit that will last”. John 15, 16
During my teenage life, when I was in H. School, I was very devoted to attend Sunday Mass and to pray for a long time after Mass. When I was a University student, I involved in some Catholic activities: as a teacher in Catholic Schools, JUC (Catholic University Jouth)’s member, Catechist, a Marian Daughter Group’s member, and as a Parish Choir’s member. I think all these services were a manifestation of my religious vocation that was in latent state in my being.
Years later, when I graduated, I decided to enter in the convent with the French Dominican Sisters in Havana Cuba. Since the beginning, when I received the habit, I promised to God to keep my commitment until my death, forever and ever. It hasn’t been easy, but with God’s grace everything is possible.
I have fulfilled the three vocation’s elements:
CALL: God called me from my mother womb
RESPONSE: I embraced the Religious Life
MISSION: teaching, preaching, proclaiming the Gospel as a Dominican Sister.
I met the Sinsinawa when I was working in Naples, Fl. as a Migrant Coordinator . The Sinsinawa Sisters also had the same ministry In Fort Myers, the diocese of Venice. We frequently met and we had a loving relationship.
During this time my former Congregation sustained many difficulties because our exile from Cuba Communism. I suggested to transfer to a Dom Congregation because we were a small group and our future was uncertain, they refused my idea. After many prayers, and accenting a Sister invitation to join with them, I decided to transfer by myself to my dear Sinsinawa Family where I am HAPPY AND GRATEFULL for their loving welcome and hospitality. I also thanks my former Congregation for the many gifts I received from them that have contributed to make me that I am today.
Christina Heltsley, OP
I want to keep this real. At twenty years of age, I had neatly tucked away, since about the fourth grade, any notion of becoming a Sister. I was on a clear path to marriage and hopefully to future motherhood. So, it wasn’t only a shock to me, but also to my family and friends, when after a year of volunteer service, wherein I lived with and ministered with the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, that I decided that I thought I had a religious vocation.
Patricia Rogers, OP
What were one or two things that helped you discern your call to religious life?
My call was dramatic and very unexpected. At the time I was not Catholic and very happy being a teacher. The nightmare that delivered the wakeup call was so real it had me determined to prove that God had the wrong person. Because I could not get the nightmare out of my head I discerned by making a pact with God: if I take the necessary steps to pursue this call and am rejected at any point, God, it is NOT my fault. I did my part.
To my surprise at no point was I rejected. I experienced little confirmations of my call along the way. My morning prayer time became my discernment. The first confirmation came after my request was granted to experience this "community life" that the sisters I knew talked about. Becoming a novice was my acceptance of the call.
What drew you to the congregation?
I did not realize that I was being drawn to the Congregation at the time. I loved the fact that these Sisters took on high school girls no others would. I was also aware that along with their kindness and a great academic experience for the students, help with some of the cultural aspects of educating/meeting the needs of African American girls was needed. I had been praying everyday for three years that a Black sister would come help them. I just knew they had a Black sister somewhere and if not, God should get one to join them.
You see, in my nightmare a voice that I recognized spoke from an out of control fire asking, WHAT ABOUT YOU?
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