God is Very, Very Good!
I grew up in Cleveland in the 30's and 40's. My sister was three years older than I and attended Notre Dame Academy on a full scholarship. She raved about the wonderful Sister-teachers she had but discouraged me from applying at NDA because it was almost a two-hour trip to school for her. St. Stephen High School, also staffed by the SNDs was about one hour away and I enrolled there in 1944.
High school was thrilling for me-Student Council, Glee Club, Sodality, school plays-I reveled in all of it. When I became editor of the school paper in my junior year my Mom suggested I get a bed at school since I spent most of my time there!
My homeroom teacher in my senior year asked me if I ever thought seriously of religious life but I really hadn't. I was too busy enjoying life. But she finally set up a meeting for me with the Provincial Superior. Unfortunately I didn't drive so I had to ask my Mom to drive me to the East Side but I didn't tell her why until we were on the way home. I remember it was Mothers' Day and I felt guilty about taking my Mom away from home the entire afternoon. When I told her I was pretty sure God was calling me to be a Sister she was not at all happy about it. Looking back I realize I was very young-just 17~ and my parents thought I was doing it because of pressure on the part of the Sisters. Even the neighbors came over to try to discourage me. I had been attending daily Mass for a couple of years and personally felt I really did have a religious vocation or that at least I better find out by entering a convent.
After high school graduation I entered Notre Dame Convent on September 8, 1948. The years seemed to fly by-college, Investment and a new name, Profession of Vows, teaching in high schools in the Cleveland area. My parents had moved to California where my Mom's family then all lived. In 1962 I was also sent to California and taught in various high schools around Los Angeles. Eventually I became the province secretary and remained in this ministry for 17 years. My education at St. Stephen's, a commercial high school, had given me helpful secretarial skills.
From the vantage point of 59 years in the convent I look back on the many joys I experienced inc1uding: daily Mass and the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in every convent home. wonderful "companions on the journey" in my Sisters everywhere I went . lively, responsive students to whom I taught religion, biology and home ec for 30+ years. one former student's letter and press clippings when he was ordained a permanent deacon about 40 years after I had taught him. a trip to Rome with side trips to Germany, Holland, Belgium and France tracing the history of our community my community's loving support when both my sister and mother died within 9 months.
I would not change a minute of the wonderful, grace-filled years I have spent as a Sister of Notre Dame. God has been very, very good to me and I praise and thank him for everything!