Joined the SCLs: 1959

What/who influenced you to become an SCL? 
I attended St. Patrick’s Grade School and Girls Central High in Butte, Mont., staffed by the Sisters of Charity (SCL).  All of the Sisters reflected a spirit and joy that inspired me to consider becoming an SCL. I attended Gonzaga in Spokane and taught for one year at Riverside High in Milan, Wash., before entering the Community.

Ministries you've loved   
My years as a classroom teacher have been more rewarding than I could have ever imagined—35 years in many SCL elementary schools and 10 in secondary schools.  For the past five years, I have been a Foster Grandparent at Butte Central Elementary. I tutor students who need special help and assist several teachers in a variety of ways.

Your hobbies, other interests
I enjoy hiking and camping, especially in Colorado and Montana. I also love music and poetry. I still play trombone and piano whenever I have a chance and write poems now and then for someone or for a special occasion. I have continued studying Spanish and Arabic in hopes of being able to help children and their families who have recently immigrated to the United States. I would also like to do more writing when I finally cut back on my present schedule. I love being near my three brothers and their families here in Butte and in Helena, but I will eventually return to the rolling green hills of Kansas and the awesome Sisters at the Mother House.

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Joined the SCLs: 1954

What/who influenced you to become an SCL? 
Sister John Berchmans, Sister Mary Vincent and other SCLs who taught me at Annunciation were such an inspiration to me, but primarily my Mother, Father and our strong faith life which revolved around our parish, encouraged and influenced my vocation as an SCL.

Ministries you've loved   
I have loved every ministry I’ve been involved in from teaching first grade to being a pastoral assistant and my involvement in every facet of the parish in Leadville, to working in low-income housing, and finally now in retirement, ministering to the sick, elderly and homebound.

What's special about being a Sister of Charity?   
Being a Sister of Charity has been a special blessing in my life because of the many opportunities for spiritual and personal growth along with the privilege of being of service to God’s people and his Church.

Your hobbies, other interests
I enjoy reading, games, cooking, visiting with family, friends and parishioners, and listening to music.

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Joined the SCLs: 1946   

What/who influenced you to become an SCL? 
My Sister teachers at Saint Mary College: Sister Xavier, Sister Mary Paul, Sister Margaret Clare and Sister Mary Jude.  I also have a first cousin, Sister Mary Denise, who is in the SCLs. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet taught me in grades 1-4 in Oklahoma, and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Wichita taught me in grades 5-8 in Kansas.

Ministries you've loved   
I was an elementary school teacher for grades 3 through 8; fifth grade was my favorite. I also directed many choir groups and taught the vocal work for school programs. I was an elementary administrator where I found curriculum development the most interesting facet of the task. Before leaving the elementary classroom, I took many classes in theology, scripture and liturgy and did an in depth study of the Vatican II documents to be prepared for pastoral ministry. My third career was as a property manager for AHCI low-income housing in Denver.

What's special about being a Sister of Charity?   
The SCLs know how to CELEBRATE!

Your hobbies, other interests
I like to read good mystery stories. In my younger years, I liked to ride a bicycle and play tennis. I have always loved to see and enjoy God’s beautiful creation and learn about historical places and people. I also like to write friends and receive their letters and exchange ideas.

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Joined the SCLs: 1955   

What/who influenced you to become an SCL?
The example of the Sisters in grade and high school along with having a supportive and loving family helped me to consider a life as an SCL. However, the strongest reason was a call from our Lord, which I fought for two more years, after high school. Then one day, out of the blue, Sister Mary Ellenice Calvin called me to come see her. She assisted me to get myself and a few things I needed together, to enter the Community.

Ministries you've loved
Elementary education was the ministry to which I was called. As teacher and principal I love working with the children to share faith and book knowledge. But they also brightened my days with their giggles and leg hugs. I am still blessed to be working with their smiling faces.

What's special about being a Sister of Charity?
Besides the spiritual and community benefits of being a Sister of Charity, being able to help the poor and needy, and learning from them the real meaning of generosity and love are among my treasured blessings.

Your hobbies, other interests
My hobbies are sports (I used to play, now I watch!), jigsaw puzzles, reading, walking and watching movies.

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Joined the SCLs: 1969   

What/who influenced you to become an SCL? 
I had wanted to become a Sister for a number of years but delayed because of objections from my family. I had worked in nursing for quite a few years and had worked previously at Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. I decided to go back and work there to get an idea about the Sisters. They were wonderful and warm and friendly, so I finally decided to enter the SCLs. Sisters Mary Eustelle and Mary Eunice were quite influential.

Ministries you've loved   
I graduated from nurse’s training in 1953, and I loved every minute of working in nursing. Then about 15 years ago, I took a clinical pastoral education course because I wanted to work with patients in a more spiritual way. I felt it was a wonderful combination, so I worked as a chaplain for 14 years at St. James Healthcare, Butte, Mont., before retiring. I loved being a Chaplain also—bringing spiritual comfort and encouragement to many patients.

Your hobbies, other interests
Oil painting.

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Joined the SCLs 1950

What/who infulenced you to become an SCL?
Jesus was my inspiration.  I wanted to be like Him.

Ministries you've loved
Encounters with so many different people I would never have met if I hadn't been a Sister.

What's special about being a Sister of Charity?
Being part of a Community where living humbly, simply and lovingly is the goal.

Your hobbies, other interests
Water colors, reading, walking in nature and poetry.

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Joined the SCLs 1955

What/who influenced you to become an SCL?
Sisters I met in grade school and high school.

Ministries you've loved
Teaching and sharing my faith with children and others. Working with the Associates.

What's special about being a Sister of Charity?
Praying together as a Community.  The many wonderful friends that I've made.

Your hobbies, other interests
Reading, visiting my family and friends.

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Joined the SCLs 1949

What/who influenced you to become an SCL?
I met the Sisters of Charity in college and liked their spirit.  They seemed like women with passion and purpose.  After a struggle with life and love, I felt drawn to join them.  My family was loving and supportive in my decision.

Ministries you've loved
I have been a teacher and pastoral worker and have enjoyed working with others in ministry.  For a third of my life I have been privileged to minister with the Blackfeet Indians in Browning, Mont.  I am grateful for the many who have shared life and faith with me.

What's special about being a Sister of Charity?
I love our spirit of humility, simplicity and charity.  I find that our call is to live out the gospel as stated in Micah "to work for justice, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God."

Your hobbies, other interests
I enjoy reading.  I like to swim, walk and enjoy nature.  I have recently taken up watercolor painting.

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Joined the SCLs 1963

What/who influenced you to become an SCL?
Sister Mary Ursula was director at St. Vincent's Home in Denver.  The request was made for Loretta Heights' students to "adopt" the boys and serve as mentors to help through the Christmas season.  Sister showed so much love and concern for the boys; I was attracted to the life she exemplified.

Ministries you've loved
Since 1972, I have enjoyed being a home health aide.  Thrity-nine years of enjoying getting to know and being able to help persons who needed it- what a great gift!  This is what has made me happy to be a Sister of Charity.

Your hobbies, other interests
I enjoy sewing.  I mostly enjoy helping Sisters and residents "adjust" their clothes.

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Joined the SCLs 1952

What/who influenced you to become an SCL?
My parents were very devout Catholics, and I'm certain that they influenced my vocation to the SCL Community.

Ministries you've loved
I enjoyed teaching Latin to high school students but I have also loved working in the library at the University of Saint Mary (USM), Leavenworth, Kan.  I find the USM students a great group of energetic, thoughtful young people, and it has been a delight to share their learning experiences.

What's special about being a Sister of Charity?
I appreciate the SCL Community because we are dedicated to serving God in many areas, and I have been able to work in the field of education throughout all of my religious life.  I also think that we are a happy, loving group of women.

Your hobbies, other interests
I like to read, watch birds, bake chocolate chip cookies and support the USM athletic teams.

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 Joined the SCLs: 2001

What/who influenced you to become an SCL?
When I met our sisters in Denver, I experienced first-hand their love of God, one another and the poor.  I recognize in them my own longing to be part of something larger than myself, and I believe that I am my "best self" as a Sister of Charity.

Ministries you've loved
Managing Saint Vincent Clinic, a care site of the Sisters of Chairty of Leavenworth Health System that serves Leavenworth County adults who are low-income and uninsured.

What's special about being a Sister of Charity?
It is a joy and a privilege to have "thrown in my lot" with this remarkable group of faith-filled, God-centered women.

Your hobbies, other interests
I enjoy reading, writing, hiking and singing.

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 Joined the SCLs: 1960

What/who influenced you to become an SCL?
The SCLs who taught me in high school at Girls Central in Butte, Mont., touched my life very deeply- in particular, Sister Mary Jo Coyle, who was my chemistry teacher since in those days I really wanted to be a chemist.  But all the Sisters at Girls Central were wonderful.

Ministies you've loved
I have had a variety of ministries over the years.  I know in my heart that i am an educator, and my favorite students are adults.  Every ministry I've been in has had an educational aspect to it- even working with victims of crime, which is my present ministry.

What's special about being a Sister of Chairty?
Being an SCL is to be in a very blessed life.  The women with whom I have lived and worked and played are truly spiritual, faith-filled women.  We have lots of fun together and can laugh as well as cry with one another.  The support that we give one another in the good times and the not-so-good times is truly beyond words to describe.

Your hobbies, other interests
I love to read all kinds of things.  I enjoy a good movie and a good party.  I would like to have time and energy to do crafts and the like, and maybe at retirement I'll be able to do that.  Meanwhile, I'll just find a good book and relax with it.

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Joined the SCLs: 1965

What/who influenced you to become an SCL?
My family who did a lot for the SCLs at Visitation Parish in Los Angeles.  The wonderful Sisters at Visitation Grade School.  They were so full of life and so real.  They shared their love of God with so many of us in the school and parish.  Their home visits really mattered when our Dad was sick with cancer.

Ministries you've loved
Each on of my ministries has been a gift in my life and a way to share my talents with others, who in turn share their gifts with me.  My ministires have included teaching first-grade in Topeka; working at the Kennedy Center in Santa Monica with children with handicaps and with the emotionally disturbed for seven summers at their day camp; teaching at the newly formed inner city school, St. Martin de Porres; and 13 years at the Child Study Center in the state-funded, preschool program for low-income families, after school programs with autistic adolescents and the young adult evening program for people with disabilities.  Then came my wonderful years living in a L'Arche Community in Overland Park, Kan., followed by three years working with severely handicapped adults at Community Living Opportunities in Lawrence, Kan.; and finally the past 10 years as coordinator of the Mother House and Ross Hall.

What's special about being a Sister of Charity?
Being an SCL is special because we truly live out our charism in simplicity, humility and charity.

Your hobbies, other interests
Exercise. Just trying to be creative each day with the simple things that are around us.  Trying out new things.  Shopping at thrift stores.

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