Sisters of the Living Word

After high school, I entered the Sisters of Christian Charity, whom I met and loved during my last three years of high school. Many years later, I was one of the first group of Sisters of the Living Word, and began to find the true freedom I needed as woman, religious, and educator.

I taught in large urban areas and in smaller rural communities. The latter helped me develop an understanding of and love for people of rural America. But no matter where I was, it was the academic, social, and spiritual growth of the children that gave me most satisfaction as an educator.

It was when I came back to work in Chicago at St. Gregory High School that I began to realize a shift in my ministry priorities. By that time, in the ‘70s, the more marginalized children and their families were really grabbing my attention, and I began searching for ways to provide more of the social support they needed. Networking with other schools and social agencies drew me more and more into the field of pastoral social care. By the late ‘80s I was engaged in parish work as pastoral associate, focusing on work with adults.

It is the freedom enjoyed as a member of the Sisters of the Living Word, which brought me to encourage women to take hold of their own rights and freedom. At present, I serve on the Board of Church Women United for Northwest Cook County, as head of ecumenical social needs. I also continue to be active with Amnesty International, Project IRENE, and Bread for the World…any avenue that brings about growth and security for women around the world. I love using God’s language, the Living Word, wherever possible!

Formerly I was known as Sister Alphonsis, until I resumed my own baptismal name.

Mission Experience

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