National Catholic Sisters Week ~ New Beginnings

Greetings,

Each day of National Catholic Sisters Week, we will be sharing the story of one of our new members or Jubilarian Sisters, those celebrating significant anniversaries in religious life!

Postulant Theresa was received into Sacred Heart Monastery as a Postulant in a simple ritual on August 2nd, 2014.  After Theresa symbolically knocked on the front door of the Monastery, the Prioress, S. Penny, asked, “What do you seek?” to which Theresa responded, “I want to live in love and service of God with the help of this community.”  The monastic community affirmed her request and S. Penny presented her with a medal of St. Benedict.  The celebration continued at Vespers and supper.

Postulant Theresa was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, the third of eight children of the late Francis and Patricia. She attended twelve years of Catholic schools before enrolling at the University of Pennsylvania for a BA in American Civilization and an MS in Secondary Education. After four years of teaching in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, she went to work as a computer operator in an insurance company before returning to the University of Pennsylvania as an employee. 

While working at University of Pennsylvania, Theresa began an MA course of study in Sacred Scripture at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, PA.   After graduating in 1997 she began teaching Bible Study in the Diocese of Camden (NJ).  In 2001 she began studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, pursuing a doctorate in Biblical Studies, with a concentration on the Old Testament prophets. 

Little did Theresa know when she came to Mount Marty College in Yankton, SD in 2012 for a job interview that this might be more than a faculty position. While serving as Assistant Professor of Theology at Mount Marty, she began studying the life of the Benedictine Sisters next door to the college campus, leading to her decision to join the Monastery.   She has taken a unique path to the monastery from MMC, as she is the first to enter the community as a professor from the college, rather than as a graduate.  As a postulant, Theresa will the live the life of the community,  meet regularly for guidance in the monastic way of life, take classes on transitions, Liturgy, and music lessons in addition to her professional work at the college.

At Sunday Vespers on August 3rd in the presence of S. Penny, prioress, and the  Benedictine Sisters,  S. Peggy made her first profession  to live a life of obedience, stability and conversion of life according to the Rule of St. Benedict.  Commenting on her profession  S. Peggy reflected:  “Making first profession means saying ‘Yes’  to God’s call, living out Jesus’ Gospel message,  and letting the Spirit guide me.   Life is a journey, a daily call to grow closer to God.    I feel being called to live the Benedictine monastic way of life is to trust and follow God’s plan for my  life.  I am very blessed to have the love and support of my community Sisters, family and friends”.

S. Peggy  is from Norfolk, NE,  the oldest of nine children born to Lyle and Denise and was raised on the family farm southwest of Pierce, NE.     She graduated from Mount Marty College in 2005 with a degree in nursing.  Sr. Peggy worked at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk for seven years and in August, 2012 followed her desire to be a Benedictine Sister by entering Sacred Heart Monastery .    Her family joined the Sisters in the joyful celebration of her profession.   A reception was held in the monastery Chapter room after the ceremony.

Blessings and come back tomorrow for Golden Stories...