When Sister Joan came to the convent, she didn’t really know what it would be like. She just knew that she wanted to be a School Sister of St. Francis like her two older sisters. She didn’t know what it would be like to live without her family.
Joan had four sisters and five brothers. Her dad had died when she was five years old. Was her mom going to have enough help without her? Her mom did assure Joan that everything would be alright. There were enough of her siblings at home to help her.
When she entered the convent, Joan was happy to be with others who had answered God’s call to be a School Sister of St. Francis. As she moved from Aspirancy to Postulancy to Novitiate, she would ask herself the question “Is this what I’m supposed to do? Is this what God wants me to do?”
When Joan made her first vows, she knew she was going to be a School Sister of St. Francis to serve God’s people. Through her education at Alverno College, she was able to teach children and prepare them to receive their First Communion. She felt it was such a privilege to teach the children about God! One of her best memories is bringing the children over to the convent and making bread with them. Child after child would put in an ingredient and each child had a turn kneading the dough.
Joan has enjoyed living in community. “I’m not saying there were not a few crosses to bear, but living in a big family before my convent days helped me understand community life. At home, we cared for each other, we prayed together, and we had fun together. In our community, when changes came, we supported each other. We knew our life together was the mission of God!”
While living on mission she was privileged to prepare the sanctuary, the vessels, and the linens for each season or for weddings and funerals. The liturgy meant a lot to Joan. She always wanted to be sure that everything she did would help the people praise and thank God.
Upon retirement, Joan was asked to teach English as a Second Language. It was a challenge, but she enjoyed it so much. She wanted to be sure that by the end of the session, each pupil would feel they had a better understanding of what she presented.
“It is unbelievable to me that I have spent 70 blessed years as a School Sister of St. Francis,” Sister Joan said. “It is a wonderful gift God has given me. Every sister with whom I have lived has been a gift to me. I thank each and every one!”