I entered the convent in the mid-70s, a time of great social consciousness. There was great concern for the poor, and so my motivation to serve came from that place: to bring hope to the poor and the possibility of a better future. From the beginning, people have been the most valuable part of my life of Mercy. They have touched me in many ways, and I have been graced with the ability to touch theirs.

My professional background is in education and administration. But right now my ministry is leadership for the congregation. It is a very rewarding ministry because it puts me in close contact with our sisters, the church, and current issues in the Church. We have a great deal of responsibility for sponsored works which are many and varied. In addition to strategic planning, we are responsible for the overall charism and spirit of our ministries. Plus, we work with other groups across the country, co-sponsoring activities and programs.

We also connect with the parishes and dioceses where our ministries are located. A great deal of what we do is communicate between parties, for example, ministries and Sisters, Sisters and the Church, Sisters and the Mercy Institute. We provide leadership and a link.

The hardest thing about serving in leadership is that it keeps me away from high school students who are my first love. I have served as a high school principal, and I really miss that. The sisters called me to leadership, and because the community has given me so much through the years, I felt it was my turn to lead. But I will go back to a direct service ministry one day.

My motto is a simple reflection of God's love for me and my love for God. I wanted to express that our relationship is mutual, that we always give to each other.

Finding real happiness requires stepping back and letting God speak. I am reminded of the passage from the Book of Kings about Elijah on the mountain looking for God and finding him in the whispering wind. God speaks in quiet ways. It is only when we sort out all the noise and allow ourselves to hear the whisper of God that we know our hearts are content. I think this is true for people who are deciding about religious life. God will speak to you. Just be still and listen.