I was attracted to the flowing habits of the Sisters of St. Joseph who taught me in grade school but it wasn't until I was in 7th grade that I felt the call to religious life. Although in high school I took courses to prepare for a nursing career, I always felt drawn to the contemplative, not the active life. My desire grew stronger during nurse's training and having a devotion to the Sacred Heart, I was hoping to enter the Visitation Order.

While on a one day retreat, I found a booklet with addresses of many religious communities. I wrote to 6 or 7 asking for information. From the responses I chose the 2 that were most appealing and decided to visit each: The Visitation Convent in Toledo, Ohio and the Dominican Monastery in Buffalo, New York.

I feel sure I would have chosen the Visitation Nuns but the night before the visit, my non-Catholic uncle tried to dissuade me saying, I was running away from the world, etc., etc. I experienced such turmoil as a result of this conversation that it affected my visit and lasted for many weeks until I made the decision 3 months later to visit the Dominican Monastery in Buffalo.

As soon as I walked in, I knew; "This is where I should enter!" However, the sisters told me of their new foundation in my own diocese in Elmira. I agreed to visit Elmira...and here I have been for 55 years.