Since I was small, I always knew that sisters had a special place in
God’s heart. Often I would think of what I would do with my life and I
knew that I wanted to do something for God, for I thought, “God loves
us so much that he wants to be loved in return.” I felt that by
becoming a sister, I could give him all that I am and all that I have. I
am from a large family – we are fourteen children and my parents had a
great respect for religious life. They never influenced us either way,
although I knew that they saw a religious vocation as a great blessing
on the family if God chose one of their children.
I
had a special attraction for the Blessed Sacrament and sometimes I would
go into churches and pray and wonder about this God who was so humble
and so little in the Holy Host. After my nursing training, I travelled
for two years. During that time, the call of God became stronger and I
knew that I had to investigate it.
I
have a lovely story of how I met up with these sisters. What attracted
me most was the centrality of the Eucharistic life, the spirit of joy,
simplicity and international flavour. I can truly say that I bless the
day that I decided to give my life more fully to Jesus.
A
favourite passage of mine is from Psalm 16. It was the verse I had on my
first profession card and then on my 25th jubilee card. The words, “You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence;
at your right hand happiness forever” are a promise of God to me and
they have come true.
People sometimes ask me if religious life is difficult. I reply,
“There are moments of struggle. However, I truly believe that in every
struggle that I have faced and overcome, I have felt a greater joy in
the service of God.” I believe that our life has enormous value and
every little thing done for God is precious in his eyes.
I have also been able to
travel and live in other countries since I joined the sisters. I spent 5
years in Italy and nearly 30 years in Australia. I have been in Ireland
since May 2006 and I have found a new family where I am welcomed and
loved. What is even more precious is the fact that I am also able to
welcome others and to love them. So … I left my own natural family for
Jesus. He has given in return a much larger family, one that reaches all
over the world!
Country
of origin: New Zealand 
