Sr. M. Teresa

From: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Years in Religious Life: 5

Current Apostolate: teaching/catechesis in Alton, IL

Favorite Saint: That is very difficult to narrow it down to just one!!!  I don't think I can do that - so I hope you don't mind me giving you a few...Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Blessed Miguel Pro, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, St. John Bosco, St. Maximillian Kolbe, St. Peter, St. Francis Xavier, St. Padre Pio

Fun Fact about Sister M. Teresa: I am 4'11"

What are some joys about being a Sister?

1) Knowing I am doing God's will. 2) My Co-Sisters 3) Knowing I make people think about God/Jesus 4) Wearing my Habit - Being a visible witness 5) My apostolate - catechizing children!

What is the meaning behind your religious name?

I took my name after Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta because I have always been inspired by two aspects of her life:  1)Her total gift of self to Jesus and 2) Her ability to love everyone and anyone.

When discerning religious life, what drew you to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George?

The thing that drew me to our community was seeing the joy of the Sisters and seeing them interact with one another - helping each other and looking out for one another.  Basically see their LOVE!

A story to share:

In the morning at school I do "safety patrols", helping kids cross a busy intersection.  Sometimes I feel like I'm on Mr. Rogers because most of the time I stand there waving to people - everyone waves now, even people I do not know, such as the city bus driver.  One cute story that has come of this is that there is a young boy about 3 years old - he is the younger brother of two of my students.  The only time I ever see him is when I wave to him when he is dropping his sisters off at school, but just from that interaction his mom has told me that he puts his blanket on his head like a veil and goes around the house calling himself "Sister Teresa".

Age: 25 years old

From: Barnhart, Missouri

Years in Religious Life: 6

Current Apostolate: Student at Franciscan University of Steubenville

What is one joy for you about being a Sister?

Living my consecrated life in community with so many other women who are striving to reach Heaven by the same path I have been called to.

What is the meaning behind your religious name?

St. Bridget of Sweden had a great devotion to Christ Crucified and Our Lady of Sorrows.  It turns out that I share those same devotions!  It was definitely the Holy Spirit who led me to the name because I was looking at male saints because I wanted someone who was strong.  I wanted a strong name.  Well, St. Bridget was a wife and mother of seven children and when her husband died she dedicated her life to the Lord.  She worked to try to move the Papacy back to Rome.  If that isn't strong, what is?!.

When discerning religious life, what drew you to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George?

Joy and youthfulness of the Sisters I met.

Sr. M. Bridget

Sr. M. Ignatia

From: Clay Center, Nebraska

Years in Religious Life: 7

Current Apostolate: A nurse at St. Anthony's Health Center in Alton, IL

Favorite Saint: St. Francis

Fun Fact about Sister M. Ignatia: I can recite all the Presidents of the US.

What is one joy for you about being a Sister?

Bringing peace and hope to others.  That if someone is having a hard day or hard life that by my religious vocation I am a sign of something greater.

What is the meaning behind your religious name?

St. Francis and St. Ignatius of Loyola have a lot of similarities:  both soldiers, both injured/conversions, started religious orders.  Our community uses a lot of Ignatian spirituality.  "Ignatia" means "fiery" which I translate as spunk and connection with the Holy Spirit.

When discerning religious life, what drew you to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George?

JOY and their apostolates weren't bound to teaching or nursing, but included all works of the Church.  Christ's merciful love is revealed in ALL we do.

A story to share:

Once during my rotation in home-health I was with another nurse visiting patients at their homes.  We went to one house and a little old lady peeked out, looked me up and down and said, "Are you really a nun? I didn't think they let you out anymore!"

Age: 26 years old

From: the wonderful state of Kansas

Years in Religious Life: 6

Current Apostolate: Housekeep in Alton, IL

Favorite Saint: Pope St. Sylvester the Great!

Fun Fact about Sister Mary David: I can harmonize with household appliances.  Sick, but true!

What is one joy for you about being a Sister?

Spending time with my Sisters, both in prayer and in recreation.

What is the meaning behind your religious name?

I didn't choose my name per se.  I chose to say yes to the name that was suggested.  At the time, I was a little disappointed, but it didn't take long for me to come to love it.  David was a man "after God's own heart," and hopefully one day, I will be too - minus the "man" part of course. :)

When discerning religious life, what drew you to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George?

Their joy.

Sr. Mary David

Sr. M. Catherine

From: St. Michael, Minnesota

Years in Religious Life: 5

Current Apostolate: Student at Benedictine College studying elementary education.

Favorite Saint: St. Michael

Fun Fact about Sister M. Catherine: I'm the 8th person in my extended family to enter religious life

What is one joy for you about being a Sister?

I love living with my Co-Sisters in community.  We are able to share in each other's joys, sufferings, etc.  It's great to know that we are there to support and encourage one another in living out our vocation.

What is the meaning behind your religious name?

I am named after St. Catherine of Siena.  The name was actually suggested by Mother.   As I learned more about St. Catherine, I was able to identify with her great love for the Church, the Holy Father, and her strong devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

When discerning religious life, what drew you to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George?

I was drawn to the Sisters through the joyful spirit they exhibited.  I saw that and knew I wanted to be a part of it.  I was also drawn by the love and respect the Sisters have for the Church, the Holy Father and the clergy.

Age: 27 years old

From: Greenville, Wisconsin

Years in Religious Life: 6

Current Apostolate: Teaching first grade at St. Matthew in Champaign, IL

Favorite Saint: St. John Vianney

What is one joy for you about being a Sister?

Being a spiritual mother for my students.

What is the meaning behind your religious name?

I was inspired by the example of St. John Vianney's life.  Also, several priests and seminarians were supportive of my vocation and I feel God wants me to pray in a special way for priests..

When discerning religious life, what drew you to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George?

I liked the balance between prayer/apostolate/community.

Sr. M. Vianney

Sr. Mary George

Age: 24 years old

From: Perryville, Missouri

Years in Religious Life: 7

Current Apostolate: Teaching music at St. Matthew in Champaign, IL

Favorite Saint: Blessed Pier Giorgio, St. Joan of Arc

Fun Fact about Sister Mary George: I wore flip-flops to enter the convent.

What is one joy for you about being a Sister?

God has taken away my children and given me an endless amount of other "children" instead to love.  As bizarre as that may sound it's true.  That's one of the joys for me of being a Sister.  I am to love everyone I meet and share His love with them.  It's a parents' job to love their children and bring them closer to Christ.  That's my job too and it brings me great joy to serve and bring my "kids" to Christ as well.

What is the meaning behind your religious name?

Sr. Mary George is after our blessed Mother Mary and St. George who stands for "courage" and also happens to be one of the patrons of our community.  I wouldn't say that I had a great devotion to St. George before I chose the name, but rather that he picked me instead.  How many chances in your life do you get to change your name?  I had wanted to make the most of it and pick an amazing beautiful new name.  I wanted something different that no else had, with a meaning that meant a lot to me, that was very feminine and "flowery."  Sometimes the Lord is too much for me though when He answers my prayers and requests.  He proposed through Mother the idea of Mary George.  The whole idea of the name was contrary to anything I wanted, yet by that very aspect always seemed to prove being a sign from God about what He wanted.  So I asked for the name, but informed God I was not happy about it.  He showed me how it fit into my criteria.  It was a name no one else had before and was definitely unique.  It stands for "courage" and being a valiant warrior for God, which means a lot to me spiritually.  St. George is known as "El Kadir" in the Middle East, which means flourishing or blossoming.  I suppose that's where my "flowery" name comes from.  The Lord definitely has a sense of humor.  As with many other decisions in my life, obedience and acceptance of God's will over my own has made me truly the happiest, and I wouldn't change the name i now love for anything else.

When discerning religious life, what drew you to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George?

Some of the outward aspects of the community was their wide range of apostolates.  I liked the aspect that they weren't just teachers or nurses, but do whatever is needed in the Church.  I could endure any apostolate however if that's what God wanted, but it has to be "home."  It was the overwhelming feeling that I could be myself here.  They are normal Sisters who laugh and joke and love just like me.  Perhaps it was their joy and spirit that matched my own.

A story to share:

I am constantly amazed by all the new "friends" I meet.  I strike up a conversation with lots of interesting characters.  Some look petrified that a Sister is talking to them, but usually within a matter of minutes they are set more at ease.  Some come chasing after me with a list of prayer requests.  But I've noticed a trend.  Once I've given a person time and shown them that I care I've made a friend for life.  I also realize that no matter how drastically different on the outside we may look we're not that different on the inside.  I was working at a Steubenville Conference as an usher and trash collector when I was a young man hanging back in the crowds.  He looked like some inner city thug (and he had a bandaged are from knife wounds to prove it).  I just smiled at him and said "hello."  The next thing I know he's helping me pick up trash.  The youth minister caught me later and informed me that he had never helped anyone like that, he was amazed.  It wasn't anything I did, rather God working through me as a "Sister,"  that breaks down all prejudices and sometimes removes barriers.  It's kind of neat when I step aside and no longer represent myself, but something bigger, the Church.  God keeps showing me that it can move mountains, or rather He can.

From: "Army Brat"

Years in Religious Life: 6

Current Apostolate: Junior Nursing Student at Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH

Favorite Saint: St. Jude, of course!  I also have a devotion to Padre Pio

Fun Fact about Sister Mary Jude: I love Sharks!!  yes, that's right, sharks.  I think they are so fascinating.

What is one joy for you about being a Sister?

One thing that I have found that is such a joy is that I can do small things with great love, and that's enough to make my life something beautiful for God.  I love to pray for people, and I love it when people ask for prayers because that's the ultimate reason I entered the convent.

What is the meaning behind your religious name?

It was April of 2004 and the excitement was rising.  It was time for my group to ask Mother M. Regina Pacis for our new religious names.  I was the last postulant to ask Mother for a name.  I had 3 choices-Sister Mary Xavier, Sister M. Felicity and Sister Mary Nicholas.  All of which Mother said “no” to!  I didn’t know what to do.  Everyone in my group had a name except me.  I was nervous and I could feel the tears filling my eyes.  Finally Mother said, “If the Lord is going to give us a name, He will give us a name in His time.”  She picked up the Bible to pray, and when she did, she opened it to the Book of Jude, all 2 pages of it!  She looked at me with a big smile and said, “Sister Mary Jude.”  Right away I knew it was for me.  She then assigned me to go to the library and learn about Saint Jude and after I did that I was to go to the chapel and pray with the name.  I returned about an hour later and said, “Mother, I don’t know about the Jude part of the name, I don’t really like to write J’s.”  She looked at me, smiled and said, “Sister, I don’t think that’s a very good reason not to take the name.”  I laughed, and asked her for the name Sister Mary Jude.  She said YES and the rest is history.  As I turned to leave her office I was peaceful and could not stop smiling.  I closed the door behind me and I took no more than 10 steps and Mother opens the door and said, “Remember, all things are possible with God.”  Those are words that will reign with me forever.  Saint Jude is the patron of hopeless cases, however, we are not hopeless because we have Hope…Jesus Christ! 

When discerning religious life, what drew you to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George?

When I was discerning Religious Life one thing that drew me to this community was the charism, “To make Christ’s merciful Love visible.”  I loved how the Sisters had to receive His Merciful Love and then give what they had received.  It attracted me very much.  I saw the genuine Franciscan joy the Sisters exemplified, and I wanted it! 

Sr. Mary Jude

Sr. M. Christiana

From: Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL and "everywhere" - Air Force "Brat"

Years in Religious Life: 7

Current Apostolate: The Apostolic Nunciature in Washington DC - domestic work, care for Priests and staff

Favorite Saint: St. Therese

What is one joy for you about being a Sister?

I love my Religious Consecration - to be Christ's Bride - consecrated for Him and His Will alone.

What is the meaning behind your religious name?

- "Christiana" - from "Christ

- My name was suggested to me by Mother - all "it came down to" in my spiritual life (in focus) was the Pierced Side and Heart of Christ

- to be conformed to Christ, especially His Most Sacred Heart

When discerning religious life, what drew you to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George?

I felt a "resonance" when I was with the Sisters and in Alton - like I "clicked", or was at home.  Also our charism and spirituality, and the Lord in prayer in our Adoration Chapel.  The Holy Spirit was very strong too!

A story to share:

Many people feel drawn to  God when they see us!  I had a woman ask me to pray with her and her family outside the library for an intention!  Also, people ask me to pray for them or bless them in airports, and one muslim young woman at an airport was so happy to see me because she went to a Catholic school with Sisters in Pakistan!  Sisters are "universal"!