Golden Jubilee: a Celebration of Charity

Growing up in the ‘50s, we lived in a neighborhood where everyone knew one another, and we could walk to the public school just down the street. My favorite time of year was summertime, when we would load up the car on weekends and head to Flathead Lake. My brother had been diagnosed with polio, and the doctors told my parents the best medicine would be swimming. For years, we rented a cabin in a cherry orchard until my folks purchased a piece of property where we moved into a trailer with no water or electricity. Those were idyllic times in my life. My sister currently lives on this same piece of property, and it’s always a destination place for me.

In 1964, we moved from the Garden City (Missoula) to the Mining City (Butte). It was a total change in scenery and culture, and yet I am forever grateful for that move. It was in Butte that I first encountered Sisters, first the BVMs at Saint Ann’s in Butte and then the SCLs at Girls Central. There were at least a dozen Sisters at Central at that time, and it was during those years that I considered a religious vocation, though I couldn’t name it as such. I just knew I was attracted to the Sisters and their way of life. They were wonderful teachers and were doing something worthwhile with their lives.

After graduating from high school, I attended Montana State University in Bozeman. I graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education and a minor in secondary education. In February of 1975, I applied to enter the SCL Community and was accepted that spring.

August of 1975 saw Jean Harrington and me boarding a plane for Kansas City. I had never been to Kansas, and many questioned why I would leave Montana for the Midwest. That’s a question I still ask myself today, especially in July and August! Not knowing what lay ahead of me in Kansas or the Community, it was only by the grace of God that I came.

Sister Kathleen Wood was my formation director. I can take partial credit for a few of her gray hairs. While I was raised Catholic, I was not particularly pious or religious. The second day in the novitiate, Kathleen asked us to meet with her and to bring our Bibles. Bible?? I didn’t bring a Bible, nor did I own one! I soon adjusted to this new culture and got into my novitiate classes and classes at Saint Mary College.

After leaving the novitiate I taught high school for two years at Saint Pius in Kansas City and two years at Immaculata in Leavenworth. From 1981 to 2002 I was in Butte, serving in pastoral ministry and parish administration. This was a perfect role for me. There were many diverse responsibilities, and I was able to establish relationships with so many wonderful people! It was also during these years that I earned my master’s degree in spirituality and ministry from Seattle University.

In the summer of 2002, I came back to Leavenworth to be the director of vocations and director of Associates. That was a rich ministry for me as I learned so much about Vincent, Louise, and our Vincentian charism. It was a privilege to walk with those who were drawn by this charism.In 2011, I ventured back to Montana, this time to the Crow Reservation south of Billings. Sister Mary Lou Mendel and I wanted to minister with those on the margins, and God could not have brought us to a better place. Father Randolph Grazyk had been at Saint Charles in Pryor for 40+ years. He was a wonderful mentor. In time we learned about the Crow culture, customs, and traditions. We were invited to take part in these, and we welcomed the opportunity. It was also at this time we were adopted by our dear dog Shep who has been a faithful companion ever since. Our 10 years with the Crow people was a highlight in my life. I miss them to this day.