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New Life


Monica McKenzie, Stephanie Gantt, Katie Baumgarten

On September 8, the Feast of the Birth of Mary, our American Province was blessed with new life – the entrance of three young women as postulants. After a beautiful Mass in honor of our Lady, they received medals of St. Francis from Mother M. Regina Pacis, signifying the beginning of their postulancy.

Stephanie Gantt, who grew up in Washington State, became acquainted with our Sisters while doing post-doctoral research in biochemistry at the University of Illinois in Champaign. She met our Sisters who teach at St. Matthew’s in Champaign and then visited our Motherhouse here in Alton. Stephanie heard God’s call to surrender everything to Him and made plans to enter our Congregation. This past summer, Stephanie drove over 6,000 miles across the country, visiting family and friends in Michigan, Texas, and Washington State.

Katie Baumgarten, from central Wisconsin, heard God’s call while attending college at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She first met our Sisters while chaperoning at Adventure Camp in northern Wisconsin before coming to visit for a Profession ceremony and then for a discernment retreat here in Alton. Katie has had the privilege of participating in three World Youth Days – Toronto, Cologne, and Sydney.

Monica McKenzie, from St. Mary Magdalene parish in St. Louis, graduated from high school this past May. She was active in the Cathedral choirs and enjoys crafts. Monica met our Sisters by coming on one of our discernment retreats, which she heard about the same afternoon it was to begin.

In the mornings, Katie and Monica are helping at our St. Francis Day Care Center, while Stephanie is at our St. Anthony’s Health Center. In the afternoons, they have time for prayer, spiritual reading, and classes. We are grateful to God for calling Stephanie, Katie, and Monica to be postulants in our community. Please join us in praying for them as they continue to seek God’s plan for their lives.

Comments

M. Eileen said…
God bless Stephanie, Katie and Monica! Know that you three and the community will be in my family's prayers as you begin your religious life.

Enjoy this blessed time. A sister once told me, "The most generous day of one's religious life is your first."

Yours in Christ,

Eileen
Anonymous said…
Dear Sisters!
Congratulations and God's blessings to all 3 new postulants!
Were these the young ladies at the Eucharistic Congress seen on EWTN?
Please know of the prayers of many and do remember us, too!
a grateful reader and friends
vmurray said…
Gelobt Sei Jesus Christus!
What a joy to see these young women responding to God's call in your wonder Community. Be assured of my prayers. Veronica
Anonymous said…
Congrats on the 3 new postulants. Can we have an update on the young ladies that entered last year?
Sounds like a beautiful day! Congratulations to you all. Know that you are in my prayers. I'm a good friend of Stephanie's and wanted to thank you so much for the gift of this blog. I've been living abroad this year, but being able to read your blog helped me to get an inside peak into your community, to find peace and still more joy for Stephanie as she embarked on this amazing new journey.
Much love in Christ,
Janelle Costanti

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