While living with Anne Carey, co-director of associates, during the pandemic, I saw how hard she worked to keep the associates program connected and active during such hard times. I was able to do some Zoom presentations for the pre-associates and even join in a few face-to-face opportunities. Anne knew that it was important to have a partner. When I saw the position being advertised, it felt right for me. I believe we sisters have a responsibility to share our spiritual patrimony, so Blessed Theresa’s vision continues to strive for unity in our broken and beautiful world. I joined Anne as co-director of associates in October 2021.
My brother forgot he is 10 years younger than me when he said, “It’s about time you did something!” But he was right. I had a wonderful sabbatical time growing in spirituality and learning watercolor, but the desire to be useful was strong. Early on, I was attracted to being part of the international house at Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, which was a position I gladly accepted. But, I knew that I would want some outreach beyond the house and Milwaukee. Becoming a co-director of associates just made sense.
My vocations throughout my life led me from St. Louis to a variety of locations. For 22 years, I taught chemistry, physics and math in high schools in Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Quincy, Illinois; St. Louis and Washington, Missouri. In 1988, I went to Sierra Leone, West Africa, where I also taught science and math.
I met Anne when she arrived at the Lungi Airport in Sierra Leone. She had asked to come as a volunteer for a year. We couldn’t go out to the plane, so we hired Joseph who was an expeditor. He had a sign and pointed up to a balcony with two white women in veils. It was hard to miss us! Anne organized the Kabala Secondary School Development Project where students learned the carpentry trade. Even though Anne was a forester, she had to learn all new woods and the use of hand tools since we had no electricity.
The war in Sierra Leone forced me to leave. After some recovery time, I moved to San Diego, California, where I was the mission education coordinator in the Office for the Missions. I was elected to the provincial council in the former St. Louis Province from 2003 to 2011. I helped with the Mission Office for Africa from 2012 to 2015. I was then asked to be the International Shalom Coordinator in Rome at the Generalate. I was there until September 2020.
In my encounters with associates and pre-associates, I discovered how they re-awaken in me love for the gifts of the SSND congregation. We forget how many wonderful opportunities we have been given. The associates shed new light and a new appreciation of them. They raise my spirit.
Blessed Theresa is a symbol of doing, whatever God tells you. As we reflect on the world and the Church as they are today, we know that Blessed Theresa would be a strong advocate for those on the margins, those being forgotten and those desiring to deepen their relationship with the Creator. And so, it seems to me that a ministry we can all claim is inviting others to share the gifts we have been given in our charism and spirituality.