Meet Sisters at our Motherhouse

Sister Margaret Mary Halbach and Sister Carolyn Zahringer started with this question: What does religious life mean to those who live it? They agreed to talk to our Sisters at the Motherhouse to find the answer. Where else could they find so much experience in religious life under one roof? Here are the questions they asked and a summary of the Sisters' responses.

1. What has brought you the greatest joy in religious life?

Many told of coming to religious life due to a pastor's encouragement, their personal meeting the Sisters in summer religion programs in their parishes, because their parents knew about the community, from a personal invitation from a Sister, or from their experience of attending a school staffed by the Bay Settlement Sisters. From this variety of experiences, these women came from many places to this one Franciscan community that they came to call their own. As it was said about our founder Fr. Edward Daems, 'we came and we stayed.'

2. For what or for whom are you most grateful?

One Sister's response summarized well the comments of the others, 'Thanks be to God's providence, mystery, and grace in my life.' They shared stories of Sisters who were mentors to them, helping them grow in grace and wisdom along life's journey. Sisters, now living in the fullness of God's glory, were named as important companions on the Sisters' journeys of faith and faithfulness. Faithful lay people with whom the Sisters ministered were also blessings in their lives.

3. What has brought you the greatest joy in religious life?

The Sisters expressed gratitude for all the experiences they had in their varied ministries and many places of ministry and even for the challenges they also encountered along the way. These life experiences brought the Sisters great joy. Those who served at the Chapel in Robinsonville told of outstanding experiences of faith and healing. Several Sisters shared that the opportunity they had to live with Sisters from other communities during their years of ministry added enrichment to their lives. They also said that opportunities they had serving people of cultures other than their own was a gift beyond measure. Stories were shared about time they spent in Nicaragua, Tachi, British Columbia, Mississippi, Alabama, Western reservations and at our Green Bay Literacy Center.

4. What brings you joy and fills you with hope?

The Sisters said that spending time in personal and communal prayer, receiving the Eucharist daily, staying connected to family, friends and Sisters, and believing that God is still calling people to live religious life brings joy and hope to them. "Joy is in living a spirit of littleness, simplicity and hospitality." Hope comes from believing God's will is being done in us. Joy comes from living in faith and choosing a positive attitude each day. The Sisters feel joy and hope in belonging to something bigger than themselves. As stated in our constitution: "In community, we can be and do together what we cannot be or do alone."