Sr. Colette Theobald
I had no idea how to go about becoming a sister as I had never met one personally nor had them in Religious Education classes. I had images from books and films of going far away, living in a cloister, long black habits, never talking, and great sacrifices.
I was baptized as a baby, went to public schools, attended religious
education, and received my First Holy Communion and other sacraments. I
went on to graduate from college and receive my credential allowing me
to teach.
During my first year of teaching, I felt an inner
desire to follow God more strongy. I fought these feelings as I thought
they were strange and certainly not meant for an "average" person such
as myself. These "feelings" that God wanted me to follow him as a
sister persisted so I prayed more and read the Scriptures to try to
discern what God wanted of me.
Finally I contacted the vocation director for the LA Archdiocese who
directed me to the Sisters of Notre Dame as a start on the journey to
see what community God might be calling me to.
It took a lot of
courage but I called the Sisters and shortly thereafter visited at the
convent. I later spent a weekend with the Sisters and became more
certain that God's grace was directing me to live my life as a
religious sister. Even though I had not known the Sisters of Notre Dame
before, I felt a deep spiritual connection as I continued to spend time
with them as the months passed.
It has now been over twenty years since I made the decision to enter
the convent.
Over the years as a woman religious I have enjoyed serving
God as a teacher and administrator in Catholic elementary schools. I
also spent a short time in congregational ministry, serving as the
coordinator of our Notre Dame Provincial Center in Thousand Oaks.
Currently I am serving at our mission in Uganda.
One of the
greatest joys I experience in following God's call is life in
community. I am accepted by the sisters with my talents and my
limitations. I love and respect each sister and I thank God that each
sister's life enriches my life. As sisters we inspire each
other to live life fully but in simplicity. Each day we respond anew to
God's call to consecrated religious life and continue to grow in our
love relationship with Jesus.