For the past thirteen years I have led a fairly regular life, ministering at Notre Dame Academy, a school filled with wonderful young women and dedicated teachers.  Oh, yes, there have been the surprises (the God of surprises would not want us to get complacent!), and life has its way of making even the daily routine enriching and challenging.  I have been a teacher, a listener to wishes and woes, a teller of countless stories; I have tried to understand countless hearts, to empower, to motivate, to challenge, to affirm.  I have not always been as successful as I would have liked, but I repeat to myself one of my favorite sayings:  God does not promise success; God promises presence—“I will be with you always.”  In all things, I have sought the God of my heart; the God who called me long ago continues to call me to ever new ways of saying “yes”. 

Soon I will begin my next new adventure.  Six years ago I visited Uganda with four other Sisters of Notre Dame: Sr. Antoinette Marie of California and Srs. Mary Rita, Anita Marie and Mary Rachel from the Kentucky province.  Our task was to research secondary education in preparation for the establishment of our own secondary school at the site of St. Julie Mission in Buseesa.  At the time, I knew that this would prove to be a life-changing experience and I felt truly blessed and very much drawn to the people of Africa.  In the years that followed, three of my research companions returned to Uganda to minister there.  On my last day in Uganda, six years ago, I wrote in my journal:  “This has been a blessed time!  I know I could live here and be happy if God, some time in the future, calls me here.”  It is now that time! 

Many have asked me what I will be doing in Uganda and others want to know what I will be doing after my year’s sabbatical…. In both cases, although I have some hopes, only God really knows and God is a great keeper of secrets!  My focus now is on bringing my ministry at NDA to a close, and then, in August, taking the next step on my journey.  Each day I pray for greater trust in God, experience both excitement and apprehension, and yearn for a simpler life.  I ask for your prayers for me and for all my sisters who serve our good God among the people of Uganda, here in California and throughout our international community.