We can also learn from the call stories of others. The following are personal accounts of Sisters and their journeys into religious life. These stories may help you come to know more clearly how God is calling you ... often it is in the very ordinariness of our lives.
More stories...
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"I watched them closely..."
Sister Harriet Schnurr
I believe my call was rooted in my home. My German, Catholic parents were of strong but simple faith. I, with an older brother and sister, and two younger brothers lived a sheltered farm life.
I attended a one-room public school, where no religion was taught. Common in our home were meal prayers, an appreciation of the Creator and Divine Providence, prayers at bedtime, the family rosary and devotion to the Sacred Heart. I looked forward to Friday night Catechism preparation for Saturday religion classes in the town.
These classes were my first encounter with the School Sisters of Notre Dame, who also taught in the local high school. I used to watch them closely and was inspired by their knowledge, respect, generous giving and caring attitudes. There was something mysterious about their life that attracted me. High-school religion classes began to satisfy this longing inside of me to know more about this God and to be of service.
By the end of Grade 12, the invitation was stronger, but I was wrestling with God saying, "But I love to sing and dance; I don't know how to speak, to teach. I would rather be a farmer's wife with lots of kids." But God persistently called and I listened to the voice deep within me and joined the SSND community to the pleasure of my mother, the laughter and dismay of my brothers and the comments of my father - "You, wild thing, you won't last two weeks." This summer we proudly celebrated 40 years of day-to-day living the gift of this mysterious call.
Sister Harriet is presently in leadership as Provincial Councillor
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