Sharing Our Stories

SOAR! recently spoke with Sister Mary of the Redemption, a founding member of the Sisters of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) in Corpus Christi, Texas. She shares her story below.   What attracted you to become a Sister and how did you come to be a founding member of the SOLT community?   I met…

Father Richard Walz, OSB always knew that he wanted to be a priest. “Incredibly, I was blessed to reach that goal,” he said. “However, the longer I have been a monk, the more I realize that what I really wanted was to be a religious in a community. I have been doubly blessed to find…

For Sister Donna Otter, the call to religious life came early, and never wavered. “For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a Sister,” she said.   Sister Donna was taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph from first grade through college, and her two sisters had already entered the congregation — it seemed like that was her natural path.  But then her…

Sister Joachima Mystkowska is a Missionary Sister of St. Benedict in Huntington, NY (above).  She grew up in a family grounded in faith, prayer and action. “We would pray the Rosary together,” Sister Joachima said, “and my mother always showed us the importance of being helpful and caring for those who had less.”  She shared…

Born and raised in San Francisco, CA, I was the oldest of four children. As a youngster, I attended Catechism classes (then known as CCD) and I appreciate the Sisters who, along with my family, encouraged my faith and helped me learn more about Jesus and his ministry. At 14, I entered the minor seminary…

When Sister Nuala Briody, a Daughter of Mary and Joseph, professed her vows many years ago, she imagined her future unfolding under the warm sun of an African mission—sitting beneath a tree, surrounded by children, sharing stories about God. But as it often happens, God had other plans. Sister Nuala was instead called to serve…

For 49 years, Sister Carol Ann Terlicher has been a member of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Her journey to becoming a Sister began while she was a student at Andrean High School in Merrillville, Indiana. There she was influenced by the joyful witness of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius who…

SOAR! recently had the opportunity to talk with Sister Kathryn Walsh, OP, a member of the Dominican Sisters of Amityville, New York.  Her congregation received a grant to purchase automatic doors. Getting through doorways if you use a wheelchair or walker can be challenging. Thanks to the SOAR! grant, the Sisters are more independent and…

Fr. Norbert Schappler, a member of the Benedictine Monks at Conception Abbey in Missouri, recently shared his story with SOAR!  This year, Fr. Norbert Schappler, OSB, celebrates his 98th birthday at Conception Abbey in northwest Missouri. Born in 1926 in Atchison, Kansas, he followed in the footsteps of his uncle, Abbot Stephen Schappler, when he…

SOAR! recently had an opportunity to talk with Sister Nuncia Rose St. Pierre, MM, a member of the Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic in Ossining, New York. We share her story here.  Born in New Orleans, Sister Nuncia first felt the call to religious life in second grade, when she heard a Maryknoll Sister speak about…