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October 2, 2023Growing up in Astoria Queens, I attended public school through the fourth grade. I was blessed with a loving family who valued their faith and instilled in me a love of God and others. I attended St. Michael’s Academy and witnessed the goodness and kindness of the Presentation Sisters. During this time many of my friends were entering the convent, which was an influence in my decision.
I decided to wait a year before entering the congregation. Education was my primary ministry; I enjoyed and loved my students and feel blessed to have an ongoing relationship with many of them.
A very special ministry for me was serving at Nora Cronin Presentation Academy. I was the first teacher when we opened the school, and Sister Yliana Hernandez was the principal. It was an evolving experience and we learned from our successes and our failures. I taught religion to all the girls. That was a gift! Though I retired from teaching in 2020, I stay connected with the school and often volunteer there.
About 30 years ago I began to develop a passion for God’s creation and preserving our Earth. Along with several other sisters, I began to learn about the universe and the new cosmology. Our Earth committee is active, and part of our work is caring for the Friendship Garden at Mt. St. Joseph.
I spend a lot of time furthering my own education through webinars and Zoom conversations. Sister Norma Carney and I developed a Laudato Si congregational action plan. The focus is to guide us to choosing a sustainable lifestyle that promotes limited use of resources and energy whenever possible.
My prayer sees God in all of creation … in the diversity of color, be it in nature or in humans; in the magnificent sunsets and majestic mountains; in the gentle fluttering of a hummingbird and the giggle of a baby.
Community life is such a blessing; I live away from Mt. St. Joseph and make it a priority to visit with the sisters there weekly. Sharing life with people who are supportive, loving and challenging has been a gift. I believe I have and am still living with “saints.”
I have been happy for my 60 years of vowed religious life. The sisters with whom I have lived and all whom I have come to know through ministry and other experiences have added to this joy. I give thanks to God for the blessings I have received.
