Monastic, Cloistered and Apostolic Sisters Share Prayer, Lifestyles and Vocation Stories Sister Stefanie tells boyfriend she might not want to get married ... at least not to him!
Women ranging in age from 26 to 46 visited St. Mary Monastery over Labor Day weekend to learn about the different types of religious communities located along the Upper Mississippi River Valley. The inquirers came from Wisconsin, Florida and Illinois. The Sisters included monastic, apostolic and cloistered orders.
Take this short quiz to see which type of order you might be drawn to! The unique vocation retreat featured a panel of Sisters representing monastic, apostolic and cloistered communities from the Upper Mississippi River Valley.
The retreatants came from Wisconsin, Illinois and Florida. They wanted to learn about the different kinds of religious life available in the area, and what the different classifications meant. The Sisters were grateful for a chance to explain what makes their communities unique. 
Dubuque Trappistine Sister Gail Fitzpatrick, OCSO, shared her 16-member cloistered community's prayer and work schedule. She said the two are woven together seamlessly, beginning at 3:30 a.m. and ending at 8:15 p.m. Between times of prayer, the nuns - who strive to keep silence when possible - make candy to support themselves. "We live together 24/7," Sister Gail said. "We have to learn to love each other with our differences. Adaptability is very important." 
Franciscan Sister Ginny Heldorfer, OSF, said her Dubuque community of 230 serves in many ministries throughout and outside the U.S. "As Franciscans, we believe Earth was created to give Jesus a home," she said. "To help care for the earth and its people, we have begun the Sister Water Project in which we dig wells in Tanzania, and bring fresh water to Honduras."
Davenport Sister Elizabeth Thoman, CHM, said her 97-member community has a long history of empowering women through education. She cited the former Davenport-based Marycrest College and the CHM Marian spirituality as examples. "As the Blessed Mother did, we believe in saying Yes." 
Dubuque Sister Rita Cameron, PBVM, said her105-member community was founded to take care of those in need. Today, she said, the community works to give voice to the voiceless. "We host drop-in centers for immigrants. We teach them how to live in America. We teach them how to speak English. We also have a center for the homeless that offers, among other things, medical care and laundry facilities." 
Benedictine Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB said her 39-member community has elements of both apostolic and cloistered life. "We live together under one roof. We come to chapel together at least three times a day for Liturgy of the Hours and Eucharist. We eat and have leisure together. But we go out for ministry. For example, I am a preschool teacher at Grace Catholic Academy in East Moline. But I am home with all of my Sisters for prayers and meals." The inquirers asked questions about community prayer styles and living arrangements (the three apostolic communities live in apartments in groups of 2s and 3s, while the monastic communities live in one monastery together), but they seemed most interested in what drew the Sisters to religious life in the first place. "I felt called to be a Sister since I was 9 or 10," Sr. Gail said. "I just wanted to love God. I was taught by the Mercy Sisters, but when I met the Trappistines I fell in love." Sr. Ginny said that growing up, she was most touched by service. "I watched my parents serve in many ways. When I got to know the Franciscans - they had been my teachers - I knew they were the ones for me." Sr. Rita had a different path entirely. "I was married and have two children and five grandchildren. When my husband died, I met the PBVM Sisters, and knew that was where I should be. They had a conference about me, and decided to let me in. I've been a Sister for 14 years, and love it." Sr. Elizabeth said she grew up in Nashville, the child of a Baptist mother and Catholic Father. "I was educated by the Mercy and Dominican Sisters, but got to know the CHM Sisters when I came to Marycrest College. I fell in love with them and haven't looked back." Sr. Stefanie remembered getting into an argument with a boyfriend that resulted with a surprising realization. "He asked, 'Don't you want to get married?' And I blurted out, 'I might want to be a Sister!' I was shocked. I didn't expect to say that. I ended up discerning with the Franciscans and a somewhat cloistered community in Nebraska. But when I came to St. Mary Monastery, I felt peace. I felt home."
|
