BEST KEPT SECRET if you are called by the grace of God to follow Him as a sister and be His instrument to share His love in the world.
We are all called by our Baptism to follow Christ in our world. Early on, as young as second grade, I wanted to be a Sister. I was moved by the young sister I had. The last two months of second grade I had a different young sister and she became our third grade teacher. She was so sweet, kind and inspiring and I wanted to be like her and teach. I was taken by the life of St. Mary Alacoque who the Sacred Heart appeared to in the convent in France. She became my patron Saint.
I knew what I wanted and we were constantly being told to think of what we wanted to do with our lives. I went to a small school Immaculate Conception in Montclair where we were imbued with being a good Christian. We had a young priest who was involved in our lives on every level, dances, C.Y.O. every week, we had school Masses, workshops, Sodality, retreats, once a year on a weekend off campus in Junior and Senior year, confessions, classes all geared to teach us about being a good Christian. In those days, we were taught to talk to a priest frequently about our lives and seek counsel. So I know I went to Confession frequently. To this day, when I hear a scripture passage, I can remember some that the priest shared in confession when I was back in High school. They have stayed with me, all my life. I started to go to Mass every morning in junior year and had a few other classmates with me. My father usually took me to Mass and then I would have breakfast with my friends in the cafeteria before classes started.
I can remember walking with my mom up to town one day and thinking I was going to graduate. Did I really want to take this on? Did I really want to be become a Sister? What would it be like? Would I make it? Suppose I didn't make it. Would I be embarrassed to leave? Six of us went in the Charities on September 6 at 5:00 that night. Out of our class of 100, 14 of us went into the seminary, brotherhood or convent. Not all stayed but you can see the Spirit was in our environment and among us as we grew up.
I have had a happy life striving to live out my baptismal call as a Sister of Charity of St. Elizabeth. Sisters of Charity were started by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton based on the rule of St. Vincent De Paul. I have had a very fulfilling life as a teacher, minister, Lector, Eucharistic Minister etc. Life is precious and I try to have fun and enjoy each moment and hold God's people in my heart.
Sept. 2020, Sister Margaret Tierney, S.C.