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.