Sister Christine Baker is a member of the 1964 Reception Class and thus a 60-year Jubilarian this year. She is a native of Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Walter and Josephine Baker. She has an older brother, Ronald.
Chris attended St. Francis of Assisi Elementary School and Notre Dame High School for girls. She met the School Sisters as a piano student in fourth grade and has continued in music her whole life. Looking back over the years, Chris gave open and honest answers about her life as she recalled her association with the School Sisters.
When asked why she was attracted to the School Sisters of St. Francis, Sister Chris responded. “I saw the community members as educated women who were professional, progressive, and happy.” She said she could envision her life as a School Sister “evolving and changing with the times and circumstances; of aging lifestyles; and a yet-to-be-determined future that we would create together.”
Most life-giving for her has been “the freedom to create/shape my ministry according to the needs, location, the peoples served, and the sisters lived with.” She said she has received her greatest satisfaction during these years from “personal time and responsibility for prayer and joint community experiences by living with School Sisters and also religious from other orders for 15 and half years.” She views personal relationships as very important and is excellent at staying in touch whether by attending meetings, making phone calls, or sending cards, and letters. She often makes the first move in reaching out to others. She is proud to be a School Sister and feels honored by association when our community is in the news.
Chris has had a very active music ministry throughout these years. She has ministered in the Chicago suburbs of Skokie, Forest Park, and Schiller Park; Cassville Wisconsin; and Charles City Iowa. Most notably have been her years in Barrington and Glenview, Illinois, and Dyersville, Iowa. She taught classroom music and directed children’s choruses, folk groups, and adult choirs, along with the accompanying rehearsals. She has given piano lessons and her students have gone on to participate in recitals.
She also has been active on liturgy committees and provided musical accompaniment for faith and formation meetings. She was involved with and played music for parish fund raisers and special religious events. Many milestone liturgies such as graduations, First Communions, weddings, and funerals have been blessed with her talent.
In addition to her parish responsibilities, Chris was also organist for the Chicago Province Singers throughout the years. She also mentioned “house responsibilities.” She was house coordinator in Barrington and maintained a bi-level house in Glenview single-handedly as the last member of our community to minister in the parish.
Chris has also had inter-community experience living with sisters who, though different from her School Sister family, had the focus, values, and commitment, providing rich sharing of faith and ministry.
Things that are important to Sister Chris include organization and preparation. She is not one to go into anything haphazardly. Chris makes careful and timely preparations for all that she does each day. All commitments start with prayer and lead to action. She believes firmly in having a positive attitude and purposefully evaluating and making improvements. Her learning style is to “start with parts and then put it all together.” Sister Chris’ motivation to achieve and be successful is her faith, hope, and love of God and God’s people.
Congratulations, Sister Chris on your 60 years in ministry as a School Sister of St. Francis!
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