When Stefanie MacDonald became a temporary professed Benedictine Sister last summer, she took another step into what many see as a mysterious life. Recently, she agreed to chat about that life ... and to dispel a few mysteries for us!

How has your life changed over the past 3 years?

I used to work as a teacher, participate in my parish and live alone. Today, I still work as a teacher and I still work for the church. But I'm glad to say I don't live alone anymore.

What's it like to live in community - in a monastery - with 50 other women?

They're my family now, and like any family, we can sometimes get on each other's nerves. The other day, for example, I needed to run to school for a few minutes. I signed out, as we all do when we leave. But when I got back, a Sister asked if anyone knew where I'd been. I thought, I'm not 16! But we do have to learn how to live and work together. We have to recognize that what we do affects a lot of other people.

You really learned that lesson during your Canonical Novice year, right?

Right! During that year, you can't go anywhere without permission, and you can't work outside the monastery. It's a real immersion year. At times did it seem a little extreme to me? Sure. I couldn't even go to my friend's wedding. But it helped me get into the habit of religious life.

I really believe the immersion is necessary. Here's an example of why. Before I entered here, I lived on an informal basis with an apostolic community for a few months. When things didn't go well - and you know there will be rocky times wherever you go - I started going home on the weekends. I didn't have to stay and work things out.

During my Canonical Novice year, I couldn't run away. I had to stay and face the challenges as they arose. I had to work things out.

I'm so glad I did. By staying put, by dealing with the everyday issues and personalities, I have been able to establish a deeper connection with the community.

So what do you do on a typical day, now that you're a Sister and not a novice?

I'm naturally a night owl, so it's tough for me to get up by 5 and be ready for Lauds by 6:15 every morning. Since I have to leave for work right after Lauds, I have to be ready for the day by then too.

I teach preschool at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy, which I just love. I'm exhausted when I get home after spending the day with 20 children, though. I often take a few minutes in the chapel as I walk in, to center myself.

I go to Vespers with the community at 5, and have dinner with the Sisters after that. Then I'll have some school work to do, maybe laminate some Thanksgiving pumpkins or cut out pilgrim hats. The Sisters offer to help while we watch a Hallmark movie or something like that.

We usually have a jigsaw puzzle going in our living group*, and I might work on that for a while before bed. Or maybe I'll go to my bedroom and call my parents or sisters to catch up.

I know people think this life is mysterious, but it's really very ordinary. We are a large family with lots of different personalities. We eat and talk and watch TV together. We pray together. We support each other.

This is the life I'm choosing. I can turn to my Sisters for anything. When I fall flat on my face, they're here to pick me up. I am happier than I've ever been.

* Living Groups are wings of the monastery that accommodate 6 Sisters with private bedrooms and bathrooms. Each wing also includes a living room, a kitchen and a balcony or porch. We eat breakfast and often enjoy evenings together in our groups, although Tuesday nights are reserved for whole community gatherings. These take place in our Community Room, next to the Dining Room on 2nd floor. Read a few more quick answers to common questions about monasticism!