Vocation Story 2...

Sister Anne Germaine

It was an ordinary day at Notre Dame Academy in Willow City where I attended high school as a boarder among 80 or so other students.  My home was about 25 miles away on a farm.  I was the fourth of thirteen children.

On this ordinary day I was serving the day students their milk for noon lunch when Sister Mary Patrick, a sister I deeply respected, walked up to me and extended an invitation to enter the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation as a member of this Community.  I had previously fought with God as other Sisters had spoken or suggested to me this possibility.  This moment of invitation was a graced moment waiting to break open with new possibilities with God for my life and for the many that were to be part of the fabric of my life in Community and ministry.  I did not hesitate this time but boldly said, “YES.”  Like Mary I felt a fountain of grace burst forth within me that empowered me to take steps forward to do the will of God for my life.

This ordinary day became very extra-ordinary; there was a urgency within me to tell the “Good News,” to say “goodbyes” to parents, brothers and sisters, school friends and to the farm life that I deeply loved.  I needed to also let go of other dreams that I so desired. It was in this “letting go and letting God” direct me, that I became to be in Christ, Sister Anne Germaine. 

I am in my 46th year of Religious Profession as a Sister of Mary of the Presentation.  As I mature in grace and wisdom with Mary, my heart sings out, “My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord.  He who is mighty has done great things in me.”

My life as a Sister has had its mountain tops and valleys, its joys and sorrows, its challenges and victories as I continue in fidelity to vow my life to God and His people.  I have been gifted with many talents; and yet there are many to discover as God continues to draw me deeply into intimacy with Him to be poured out in service.  When I became a Sister, I never imagined how blessed I was to become, in order to be a blessing to the vulnerable, the lonely, the searching and the deeply wounded.  Yes, God has richly blessed me to be His servant.

There is no such thing as an ordinary day for me anymore as I live each day rooted in Christ through prayer, Eucharist and Community life.  I know I belong to God and God directs all my days so each encounter is “Yes” and in that “Yes” grace abounds and the ordinary becomes extraordinary for me as a Sister of Mary of the Presentation.  My life is a lived consecration to God and I am deeply grateful I said “Yes” on that ordinary day that changed the rest of my life.   

Go to Vocation Story 3