When asked by others why I decided to enter religious life—why I decided to live in community—I respond with enthusiasm by remembering my experience with the Franciscan sisters in a Philadelphia archdiocesan high school where I first met the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. I continued my high school education with the sisters when I transferred to Padua Academy in Wilmington, Delaware, where I graduated in 1975.
As a fourteen year-old, I was struck by the way in which the sisters interacted with one another. There was a genuine spirit of being “sister”—sharing humor, showing respect, and exhibiting care and concern for one another. In their humanness they exemplified a spirit of joy. Exposed to a variety of congregations of women religious, I recognized something “special” that attracted me to the Franciscans. Six years later I entered the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia to explore the meaning of living community.
I have been blessed to be a member of the Sisters of St. 
Francis of Philadelphia for over 32 years. Being a member of this congregation has provided me many opportunities to grow personally in my faith life as well as in my professional life. I have been supported, challenged, and encouraged to take risks that I might not have taken otherwise. I have discovered what it means to live in community with women who interact with others on a human level, grapple with life issues, engage in deep conversations, work for social justice, and challenge one another to live the Gospel life.
As a sister, I have ministered in the field of elementary education as a teacher and principal in Catholic schools in Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia. In addition, I have been Director of Mission Effectiveness at The Catholic High School of Baltimore, one of the ministries sponsored by the congregation, and have ministered in the congregation’s ministry office as assistant director. These diverse experiences led me to pursue doctoral studies in industrial/organizational psychology, the study of human behaviors within organizations. My primary focus of dissertation assessed prejudicial attitudes within seven women’s religious communities and looked at variables associated with increased prejudice.
My education has prepared me to assess, develop, and implement organizational change, structures, and processes while focusing on intra/inter-personal dynamics and relationships at various levels (horizontally and vertically). My internships provided me a variety of hands-on experiences in nonprofit organizations such as developing, conducting, and analyzing surveys; creating diversity assessments and instructional workshops; facilitating groups; and assessing job functions and structures in order to enhance effectiveness and efficiency. Currently, I minister with the leadership of a province of a women’s religious community based in Marylhurst, Oregon, and coordinate efforts between the leadership, administration, and boards of eleven sponsored ministries.
Over the years, my experiences in ministry and living in community have provided me opportunities to address my own stereotypes and prejudices. I realize how my interactions with others were influenced by my background and stereotypes which led to prejudicial attitudes and, at times, to discriminatory behaviors. Sharing ministry with members of various culture groups has definitely enriched my life. I continue to enjoy learning about different cultures and visiting new places.
I am deeply grateful to the congregation for enabling me to be gifted with the many opportunities that I have had over the years. As a Franciscan, I have been able to personally live our charism of continuous conversion, striving to make changes each year in order to live authentically as I witness the Gospel life. I am grateful for the “yes” I proclaimed many years ago to live my vowed commitment with the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. With gratitude, I remember the sisters who witnessed to me the joyfulness of the Franciscan life. I pray my life continues to witness a joy-filled Franciscan spirit.
“Filled with trust in the goodness of God, I move forward” with courage, faith, and hope for a future blessed with promises and possibilities.
