Vocation

Before Sr Stella’s time as a Presentation Sister she was married and created a beautiful family. Sr Stella always had a strong devotion to her faith that helped her through difficult times in her life. After many hardships, her 24 year marriage ended in divorce. But not to worry, God had great plans for Sr Stella and led her to the Presentation Sisters.

You can hear Stella’s story in her own words here

Shawna let God guide her, and after much discernment and living with different orders of Sisters, she found what she called ‘home’ with the Union of Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since then she has done numerous ministries including working in hospitals, prisons, vocation work, working with youth and many others that have positively influenced the lives of more people than she will ever know. Now, Sr Shawna lives in a community of Presentation Sisters in Fargo, North Dakota with her furry companion, Candy.

The tail wagging, an occasional bark and looks of pure love that come from Candy, never fail to bring a smile to the Sisters. Sr Shawna has also found that Candy is pet therapy not only for herself, but all the Sisters in the community.

Entering Religious Life never entered my mind until a German priest, Fr W.W. Schneider often mentioned it to me.  Over and over he would say to me, “Wiona, you would make a good nun.”

My answer always was, “No, never Father, I’m not good enough.”  “Yes, you are”, was his response.  His constant remarks kept bothering me so during my senior year in high school I visited 5 different Congregations. In September 1962 I decided to try the Presentation Sisters in San Antonio because they all seemed so happy, they were a small Congregation and I thought I would always be near home. I really entered with the hope that I wouldn’t like it and would therefore be able to go back home with a clear conscience and be able to follow my dream.  I loved dancing and always wanted to become a professional dancer.  However, God is a God of surprises.  I entered, I liked it and I stayed.

I have had a wonderful and blessed life with the Presentation Sisters.  I was very happy teaching 3^rd grade, 8^th grade and Junior High Science in St Gregory’s Catholic School from 1966 -1978; being principal of St Thomas More Catholic School from 1978-1986; and caring for my sick and ageing parents from 1985-1989.  After their death in 1989 I began a Development Program for our United States Unit.  In 1991 I was transferred to Ireland where I served as Assistant Congregational Leader for 5 years and as Congregational Leader for ten years from 1996-2006.  Though leaving home, my family and friends and moving to Ireland was one of the most difficult times of my life, it was also the most blessed.  Leadership was a ministry which I would never have chosen to be involved in.  However, my experience of working with 3 different teams was a great learning experience plus I made many friends

Serving my Sisters and travelling to the various countries where our Sisters are in mission was very life-giving.  Experiencing the culture of our Sisters in India, Pakistan, Philippines, New Zealand, Slovakia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, England and of course, the United States. was difficult but yet it was also awesome and a great learning experience.   The welcome, hospitality, and care of me, not only by our Sisters, but by the people of these various cultures are experiences I will never forget. I experienced God’s presence in so many various ways and it was just wonderful to see how our Sisters carry out the mission and charism of our Congregation.

When I finished my 15 years in Congregational Leadership, I had a good rest and then did a month’s program in Ecology in Chicago, Illinois and a 4 month Sabbatical Program in “Berakah” located in Pittsfield, New Hampshire.  Both helped me to concentrate on my own spiritual life and to reorient myself for a ministry in the United States Unit.

After finishing my Sabbatical and returning to the United States Unit, I was part of a Discernment Group of Sisters interested in working with those in need. The Provincial Team asked me to investigate areas of need in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Through that investigation I was lead to the Delta of Mississippi where I worked for one year with the Mercy Sisters in St. Gabriel Mercy Center in Mound Bayou, Mississippi. Our Discernment Group chose to begin a new mission in the Delta and I was one of the three chosen to start this mission with two other Sisters, Sister Maura and Sister Una. In September 2009 we began our search in the Delta and after much research, discernment and prayer we chose Shaw, Mississippi to begin the new mission for the U. S. Province.  We have opened Presentation Sisters Center in downtown Shaw and presently we have a tutoring program after school for children Kinder through 4^th grades. We have from 20-30 students every year. We also have a weekly computer program for high school students and adults and we work weekly with a group of women who named themselves, “The Active Ladies of Shaw”.   With them we do various projects, crafts, and outreach events. We remain open to learning about the needs from the people and are willing to respond to those needs in whatever way we can.

My life thus far has been a very fulfilling and blessed journey.  I trust that God who began this work in me will continue to guide and direct me for the rest of my years.  May God be praised for God’s goodness and love for me.

I felt there was such a mystery in their lives. When they left the class room and went through the door to the convent I wanted so badly to experience their life. Mother Ignatius talked with me a few times about entering. Then my father died and I will never forget her kindness and her love. She would not take school fees from me as she knew that my mother was poor. She always returned the fees. When I was entering the Presentation Sisters in Drogheda she purchased all the stuff I needed to bring with me. It was the mystery in the life of the Sisters that attracted me along with their kindness and concern. Mother Ignatius would go for a short walk with me to the tennis court and talk about my life. I felt very honoured. Of course they were enclosed at that time but that did not bother me. When I left home in 1952 and entered the Presentation Sisters in Drogheda the mystery continued and I have never had a doubt but this was the right decision to make. I thank God for all those sisters who led and guided me all those years. This is a short summary of how my vocation began.