Falling in Love
By S. Whitney Schieltz
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In my bedroom hangs a framed copy of the prayer
Fall in Love
, attributed to Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ. Every day it inspires me to continually seek and fall in love with God; but it also reminds me of the seeking and falling in love that led to my vocation as a religious Sister. It was almost six years ago when I had my first encounter with the Sisters of Charity. I had never given any thought to becoming a Sister, but I heard about a dinner for young women in the diocese who wanted to learn more about religious life. At the time it was more of a curiosity than a potential life path for me. I simply wanted to educate myself about what distinguishes one order from another and to better understand what religious life even is. So I went, perhaps not totally sure what I was seeking.
Well, it turns out God had plans for that evening that I never saw coming. So many of my misconceptions about religious life were debunked, and my conversations with the Sisters opened my eyes to the blessings and opportunities within religious life that I never expected. Even with this new information, however, I tried to ignore the little voice calling me to further exploration of this vocation. Over the next several months I pondered, prayed with, and shared with family and friends a medley of emotions, from intrigue and excitement to confusion and fear.
One day I invited a few close friends to lunch to announce my discernment of religious life. I remember using phrases like “This is going to sound really weird …” and “I know it’s crazy, but …” at the start of each sentence. Then one of my friends interrupted me and exclaimed, “Whitney, you can stop saying that. It’s not crazy. I’ve never seen you this happy before.” I had fallen in love; and as Arrupe would say, it was amazing me with joy and gratitude. My friend’s witnessing of that joy gave me confidence that I was on the right path, even if my head was still filled with uncertainty. Sometimes we need the help of others to recognize how God is working in our lives and to listen less to our heads and more to our hearts.
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Video Visit
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S. Annie Klapheke
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Where are the Sisters of Charity ministering today? Meet S. Annie Klapheke. She is a dietitian at the Good Samaritan Free Health Center in Price Hill (Cincinnati). Learn more about Annie’s ministry and the joy it brings to her in the video above.
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Members of the Sisters of Charity and the SC Federation gathered in New Orleans, Louisiana, Nov. 18-21 as part of Nuns Build 2019. The House of Charity hosted Federation Sisters and participants for the week while the group helped in the ongoing rebuilding efforts in New Orleans.
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Faith in Film: Christopher Robin
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In this 2018 film, Christopher Robin is an adult who has lost his sense of imagination. When he receives a surprise visit from Winnie the Pooh, he embarks on a journey back to the Hundred Acre Wood and is reunited with his childhood friends who help him rediscover the joy of life. It is a good reminder of how our friends, family, and community members help us recognize and prioritize what truly brings us joy.
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Giving Voice 40s Retreat 2020
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Join Catholic Sister peers in their 40s for a weekend of community, prayer and relaxation Jan. 17-19, 2020, in Seal Beach, California. Giving Voice uses the principles of The Circle Way as a basic format for their gatherings. To register visit
https://giving-voice.org/civicrm/event/register?
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December 9, 2019
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
December 12, 2019
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
December 25, 2019
Christmas Day
January 5, 2019
Feast of Elizabeth Seton Mass,
3 p.m., Motherhouse chapel
January 17-19, 2020
Giving Voice 20s & 30s Retreat,
Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery, Phoenix, Arizona
January 17-19, 2020
Giving Voice 40s Retreat, Seal Beach, California
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The Mount St. Joseph University community honored S. Judith Metz (center) on Nov. 6, 2019, with the St. Elizabeth Seton Medal. The honor was established to recognize the educational legacy of the Sisters of Charity and is presented annually to a woman who has made outstanding contributions to theology. S. Judy is a historian and writer; her ministries have included archival/historical research and writing, instructing, board appointments and community service.
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E-Vōc
is the electronic newsletter from the Vocations Team of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati for single women wondering what new thing God is calling forth in their lives.
If you are interested in learning more about life as a Sister of Charity, visit our website at
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