With the blank slate of a new year, the possibility of new connections, new opportunities and a renewed eagerness for the notion of what “could be” often enters our minds. Considering new endeavors is a first step, but the follow-through is where real change takes place.

Sister Sue Menshek, now entering her 68^th year as a School Sister of Notre Dame (SSND) knows something of taking risks, embracing unexpected opportunities and finding joy through the challenges of transition.

“My favorite words of Blessed Theresa are ‘Follow the star, it will lead you to Jesus,’” said Sister Sue. “It was always people who helped me find the star!”

Like many SSND, she began her years of active ministry as a teacher. While still in the process of earning her degree, she was assigned to teach 4^th and 5^th graders at Immaculate Conception Grade School in Gilbertville, Iowa – 64 of them.

“I was so scared. I loved the kids, but did question being called to teach,” she recalled. “I did like it though.”

Several additional teaching positions followed, and by the fall of 1965, she found herself assigned to a school in Clara City, Minnesota. The pastor there was recruiting sisters for a summer program, through this, she became aware of the struggles of migrant farm workers. She initially put off the offer to participate, but did eventually let him know she would join, though she didn’t see what could be accomplished in the six weeks of summer.

“At the time, I didn’t know anything about farming or farm workers,” said Sister Sue. “I didn’t speak Spanish or know the culture. I was encouraged by a priest who told me, ‘Just be there.’ Those words, being there and being present had a great influence on the rest of my life. Being there and being present has been an influence for good in my life.”

Consoled by Mary’s questioning of the Angel Gabriel before saying yes to God’s call seemed to make it OK that her own response to this offer was slow!  After several months, she agreed and embarked on the ministry of working with and for migrants. That first experience in pastoral and social work led to an appointment as diocesan director and later as coordinator of programming with the Coalition of Churches for Migrant Concerns (CCMC) for Minnesota and the Red River Valley of North Dakota. The work continued to evolve and expand, presenting her with additional opportunities from 1974-1979.  The coalition’s efforts included coordination with connections in south Texas.  Aware of her work, Bishop John J. Fitzpatrick invited her to bring the same kind of ministry in the Diocese of Brownsville, near the Texas border with Mexico.

All told, Sister Sue was in this phase of her ministry to migrants from the summer of 1966 until the winter of 1983.

From there, she participated in a renewal program as part of her Jubilee celebration. She felt it was time to do something else but also felt she wanted to remain in Texas and be near to the families and relationship she had built. She signed on with the Texas Department of Human Services, taking a social worker position.

Her attitude and willingness to “follow the star” was called on once again, and from 2007 to the fall of 2014, Sister Sue again took on a new opportunity. She was asked to assist with the legal files in the Center for Legal and Social Justice, a program of St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. Through St. Mary’s University and webinars, she studied immigration law and became an accredited representative through United States Customs and Immigration Service’s (USCIS) Board of Immigration Appeals.

“For the people and those who worked with them, a big moment was getting past the first steps toward achieving a visa. It was exciting to experience their receiving a green card and being present for a citizenship ceremony is thrilling.”

She continued working through Catholic Charities and with the Bernardo Kohler Center. She then relocated back to her home state of Minnesota for a time, ministering through prayer and presence at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Mankato and at the Benedictine Living Community in Shakopee.

Fall 2025 brought her back to the Southern part of the U.S. once more as she made the move to St. Anthony’s Garden in Covington, Louisiana, for prayer and presence and community service.

“I lived and worked in Texas more of my life than I did in my home state of Minnesota, though I entered SSND in Mankato. I was in and out of Chatawa, Mississippi (a former province campus), very often and even in the Dallas Province a few times before it was sold. I was in Chatawa for eight months to help the sisters move here (Covington). So, I really am home!”

On overcoming hesitation when faced with new opportunities, Sister Sue said, “I never saw it as a risk. I did it because it had to be done. Later, I sometimes wondered how I did it all. I felt a call. It was a risk to go out of teaching. It was the words and invitations from others that made it clear that I was following the star and would always find Jesus.”

“I think it’s looking for the will of God and seeing everything as an opportunity to serve, despite possible risk. Take the chance. Know God is always with you and whatever the transition is, have faith and trust. Be aware of your gifts. We aren’t in control over anything, it’s God. Look for the joys of life, be grateful for what you have and be present in the moment. The gifts God gave us help us be who we are.”