A Life Changing Call
Sr. Carol, M.S.

“They were to seek God, yes to grope for him and perhaps eventually to find him - though he is not really far from any one of us.” (Acts 17:27) As I was “seeking” what to do with my life after high school, I did consider the religious life as an option. However, I had always heard that one receives a special “calling” from God which affirms this choice and since nothing unusual happened to me, I assumed that God had other plans for me. It is also ironic in that while I was “seeking” and pursuing a nursing degree from the University of Nebraska that God did indeed direct me to the religious life.

I have always enjoyed school and learning new things; however, my Physiology class was proving to be quite challenging. I remember studying and praying particularly hard for an upcoming exam. After the BIG test, the professor gave us the answer key. I nervously waited until I got home to see how I fared. The amount of hard work and prayers that I put into this test were not reflected in my score. At that moment, I said to myself, “Maybe God doesn’t want me to be a nurse, maybe he wants me to be a nun!” At this point, I also felt an urge to call and talk with a nun.

I remember when I was young that Sr. Mary Philip, B.V.M. would come to St. Martins in Douglas to teach us a week of Summer Religion Classes. I also recall her asking at the end of each week, “Now who wants to be a nun or priest when they grow up?” I always raised my hand – never realizing that it just might happen!

My older sister and I shared an apartment near the Sacred Heart Church and I had seen Sr. Mary Philip there before; although we did not speak to one another. As I was looking at my test and pondering what to do next, I got the courage to call the Sacred Heart Convent. A sweet voice at the other end said, “This is Sr. Mary Philip speaking.” When I told her who I was I never imagined that she would remember me after all those years, so when she said, “Oh yes, and your mother, Theresa, how is she,” I about fell off my chair! The next day I met with Sr. Mary Philip and the following week she introduced me to the Marian Sisters. I had lived about thirty miles south of the sisters and I never realized they existed. That was back in the winter of 1989. The following Fall, I entered the Marian Sisters, and in 1997, I profess my Final Vows.

I am most grateful to Sr. Mary Philip for her prayers, support and example as she helped me to “seek and eventually find God.” Also, I will always treasure that phone call that changed my life!

Mary is My Mother
Sr. Barbara Jo, M.S.

I am the daughter of Carol and the late James Schneider of Hastings, formerly from Assumption Parish in Assumption, NE. That is where I decided to answer God’s call to be a religious sister. The Sister of the Most Precious Blood from O’Fallon, Missouri, taught in our school. They gave more an education; they gave me a life-long love for Jesus.

My faith was strengthened through the Eucharist and the other sacraments. I believe that my parents, sisters, and all the Assumption parishioners influenced me a great deal. They were all deeply rooted in God’s love.

I attended Roseland public High School and parish CCD classes. This instruction, as well as the encouragement of my family, helped maintain my closeness to God.

There are six children in our family, and we were blessed to witness the deep faith our parents possessed. My dad loved the rosary, and I saw him pray it often. My mother was converted to the faith through her love and respect for the Blessed Virgin Mary. In fact, our mother consecrated each of us children to the Blessed Mother at our birth.

The Marian Sisters continue to help me grow spiritually though their example of prayer, simplicity, and joy. Our community is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. I find it interesting that my consecration at birth as well as my religious vocation have placed me firmly in the motherly hands of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Continue to pray for religious vocations. They are beautiful gifts from God to a world in much need of signs of His presence.