S. Jackie McCracken, OSF, is asked all the time, "Why I decided to become a Catholic Sister." I was 18 years old when I entered the convent on September 8, 1963, the feast of the birth of the Blessed Mother. What adolescent at the age of 18 knows why he or she makes critical life decisions? I just knew that I wanted to be of service to others, and I was fascinated by the Sisters who taught me for more than 12 years, the Franciscans of Oldenburg, IN. So what happened in those intervening years from 1963 - 2010? The Second Vatican Council! From 1962 to 1965, Pope John XXIII initiated what was a massive overhaul of the Church, including how vowed religious lived and interacted with the world.

     As a result, shortly after I entered the Sisters of St. Francis, everything began to change so that the theology and spirituality of Vatican II was reflected in our lifestyle. Sisters all over the world began to examine their congregations' roots, eventually weeding out nonessential practices and focusing on ministry to the People of God, meeting the needs of the Church and society, and re-examining our theologies, spiritualities and community life.

     What happened to Sisters during that exciting and invigorating time? First of all, we gradually changed from wearing only habits to dressing much like our Sisters we encountered in everyday life! Second, we were allowed to visit our families in their own homes. Third, we could go on vacation! For a young woman in her 20s, these were big deals!

     More importantly, we began to examine the real essence of religious life, the call of our founders and our deep authentic beginners. As Franciscans, we learned that our gift to the Church and the world is to live simply, to contemplate the wonders of our natural world, to minister to marginalized people and to correct injustices wherever we are. This theology led each of us to a deep prayer life, a spirituality that deepened our relationship with the Divine and with Jesus. We began to choose ministries based on the needs of the time as well as our individual gifts and talents. Professional development and leadership opportunities abounded. And community living among us became richer, stronger and filled with opportunities for deep friendship and support of one another.

     So what happened to ME? Most importantly, my spiritual life - the life of the Divine - began to emerge in me. I began to develop the Divine within me - both imminent and transcendent - that encompassed all and contained the entire universe. I began to read the mystics, who constantly reminded me that I am one of them, entwined with God, Jesus and all the saints.
     In addition, I began to grow in love for my Sisters in community. I began to recognize that we women are intimately connected to one another in our vision for ministry, service, spirituality and the common life. I am part of something bigger than myself. In our Vision and Journey document, we say, "Where one is, there are we all."

     I'm not sure that any other lifestyle would have allowed me the flexibility and encouragement to pursue the ministry and service opportunities I've been engaged in during my lifetime. I've grown as a person, become courageous, taken risks and become transformed as a result of the people in my life - the students I've taught, the battered women for whom I've advocated, the staff I've supervised, and the professional leaders from whom I've learned.

     So what happened to me from 1963 - 2010? In a word - TRANSFORMATION! I became the woman that the Divine, in partnership with me - envisioned. With God's help and support of community, family and friends, I accepted challenges and surrendered to the Divine flow within my life. It has been extraordinary. The destination is not important, but the steps along the way are. The journey continues, and I'm awed by what I find along the way.
S. Jackie McCracken currently serves as a Program Associate with the Indiana Network for Higher Education Ministries, "INHEM," located in Indianapolis, IN, which helps others explore where God is calling them, and expanding their horizons of what they can accomplish. 

    

                                    Back In The 'Burg
         
S. Stephanie Zimmer, OSF, has been back at the 'Burg since 2004. She is a native of Indianapolis, IN. S. Stephanie ministered as a teacher at the elementary and at the college levels, organist and pastoral minister to the home bound. She found that when she worked with children she found them to be very creative. It was a delight to see how they responded to her encouragement, especially trying their gifts of art and expressing themselves through the written word. During her 3 years of study at Catholic University, she experienced the richness of diversity among the many students and teachers. Washington D.C. itself exposed her to the beauty of the city and cultural places such as the Smithsonian. It was at the Catholic University that she developed a life ling friendship with a Sister of another community.  Photography is a hobby of S. Stephanie's where she spreads beauty to others. To anyone considering joining the Oldenburg Franciscans, S. Stephanie would want others to come and get to know us. Try to be open to new people, new ideas and possibilities. Be sure to pray for guidance.

 

S. Frances Jean Sandsculte, OSF, has been back at the 'Burg since 2007.     S.  Frances Jean has ministered as a teacher, organist, and as director of  ochestras and bands. Her greatest joy has been music. S. Frances Jean's mother was a talented pianist and this is where she got her love of music. From the time she entered the community, S. Frances Jean was assigned to schools where she gave individual music lessons and organized bands and ochestras with the students. One of her fondest memories is that of a music student who discovered that she had retired to Oldenburg and came for a visit. Shortly after their visit he decided to make a CD for her of twenty classical pieces at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. This former student's love of music was still very evident and she is very happy to have been a part of this happening. To anyone considering joining the Oldenburg Franciscans, she says, "Pray and ask God to guide you in your calling. Come and see what religious life is like and see what it can offer you and how you can be of service to God's people."  

 

 Coming Events

  

Come and See Weekend is October 26-28, 2012.

 

All of these events are for women 18-40 interested in finding out more about vowed religious life. If interested please contact S. Joan Miller for more information at 812-455-9348.