As Sister Mary Ann Meyer celebrates 40 years of life with the School Sisters of St. Francis, she says that one of the most rewarding aspects of her life and ministry as a woman religious is meeting former students and realizing that her work has made a difference in their lives.
Sister Mary Ann taught IB (International Baccalaureate) Spanish for several years. Her former students are now doctors, educators, and pharmacists, to name a few, and still use the Spanish that they learned in IB. What is most lifegiving for Sister Mary Ann in her ministry of education is being able to help students claim and recognize their gifts and abilities. She currently teaches theology for high school seniors. She focuses on teaching theology, philosophy, and spirituality, and also uses project-based learning to enable students to apply what they are learning to their individual lives.
Sister Mary Ann first met the School Sisters of St. Francis as her teachers in grade school; then in high school at Central Catholic in Aurora, Illinois; and then in her parish. “I was drawn to their joy and authentic witness of Gospel values,” she said.
Sister Mary Ann’s community life has shaped her life as a religious in profound ways. “I was blessed to spend 28 years of religious life with Sister Jeanne Schweickert, who taught me how to live this life with integrity and authenticity,” she said. “Our relationship grew from one of mentor, to sister, to friend.”
She has shared community with Sister Kathy Chuston for the past 11 years. “I’ve treasured our journey of care, mutuality, support, challenge, and fun!” she said. When asked what she would say to a woman who is considering religious life, Sister Mary Ann said, “listen to your heart and come join us!”
Some of Sister Mary Ann’s best memories in her community life were made when she had the opportunity to travel to Europe, to the birthplace of our community’s foundresses. She’s also traveled to Assisi, Italy, with the Franciscan Study Pilgrimage. Both of these experiences gave Sister Mary Ann the chance to explore her Franciscan roots with the School Sisters of St. Francis. These are memories that she will carry for a lifetime.
When asked what celebrating her 40th Jubilee means to her, Sister Mary Ann said, “My 40th Jubilee is a celebration of fidelity to mission. I chose religious life out of a love relationship with God, and that continues to sustain me to this day. Being part of an international, intercultural community taps my passion. We are much better together than we are alone!”
Having the opportunity to see and experience the reality of our sisters in the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Germany, and India has enabled Sister Mary Ann to experience our charism as a School Sister of St. Francis. The needs of the times are the will of God wherever we are.