Sharing Our Stories

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 her 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…

Sister Ann Casper, a member of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, recently shared her story with SOAR!  What attracted you to become a Sister?  I was attracted to becoming not just a Sister, but a Sister of Providence (St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana), at the tender age of seven! The Sisters of Providence were my…

Staff member Kristen Wise, who helps organize the SOAR! grant program, shares what SOAR! means to her. This time of year the SOAR! mailbox is overflowing daily as grant requests pour in from congregations of aging men and women religious from across the country and even Puerto Rico. As the point of contact for our grants-giving…

One of the highlights of my ministry with SOAR! is visiting convents that have received grants. I see how the grant funds have been used and hear firsthand how the generosity of our donors really benefits the lives of the Sisters.