Our Novices go on Mission at the beginning of their second year before returning home to prepare to make their First Profession. Here is Sister M. Clare's mission experience.
by: Sister M. Clare, FSGM
God’s plan for our lives is so much greater than we can ever imagine; I experienced this in a deep way during my six months as a second- year novice on mission from August 2018 to February 2019. I was sent to our St. Francis Day Care Center in Alton, Illinois, for five months, living with our Professed Sisters at our Provincial House, St. Francis Convent. Then I worked as a house keeper in our convent for about a month afterwards. This time on mission was very trans- formative. One of the many lessons I learned is: Merciful love is powerful. I desire Jesus’ love at every moment of my day, and now, even more so, as I prepare to ma e my First Profession of Vows.
At our Day Care Center, there is a thirst for His love as well. Our Sisters serve there to bring Christ to each person who walks, crawls, or is carried through the front door. I was assigned mainly as an assistant teacher in “Room 4,” also known as the “St. Clare Room” (very providential!). I worked with children between the ages of one and two. It was quite an adjustment from living in our convent to working all day with excited toddlers! I learned to appreciate the tangible beauty of motherhood as well as the vocation of marriage and family life. It was such a gift to be able to mother these children on a daily basis.
At our Day Care Center, there is a thirst for His love as well. Our Sisters serve there to bring Christ to each person who walks, crawls, or is carried through the front door. I was assigned mainly as an assistant teacher in “Room 4,” also known as the “St. Clare Room” (very providential!). I worked with children between the ages of one and two. It was quite an adjustment from living in our convent to working all day with excited toddlers! I learned to appreciate the tangible beauty of motherhood as well as the vocation of marriage and family life. It was such a gift to be able to mother these children on a daily basis.
I never thought as a religious Sister that I would get to read a story to a child at nap time; play with toys and use my imagination again; go on a wall , pushing a four- person stroller; or give a bottle to a tiny baby falling asleep in my arms. These are such small moments, yet they mean so much. This is Christ’s merciful love made visible. It is a personal, loving encounter by simply “being” with another. God showed me the beauty of my own vocation as a daughter, bride, and mother through this mission. Getting to now our staff at the Day Care Center was another gift God gave to me. The members of our staff are thirsting for Christ’s love, too. I was overjoyed to be able to listen to their stories, to pray with them, and to accompany them on their individual journeys with the Lord. Christ’s merciful love will open a heart that is closed. It will remind people of their true beauty and dignity.
I had the joy to live and work with our Professed Sisters at St. Francis Convent. I observed their love, concretely lived out each day in their various apostolates. They inspire me and give me so much hope for the future beauty of my own life, given completely to Jesus through the vows. Overall, my mission experience was a true immersion into the transforming power of the consecrated life. Mission has made me even more grateful for the Community to which God has called me.
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