January 28, 2011
Personal Reflection
“On fire for Jesus” . . . Called to be holy
Father Jason Gries and Sister Teresa Gunter mug for the camera, during the 2010 March for Life trip to Washington D.C. Click for a larger version.
By ZOE CANNON (Sacred Heart Church, Vincennes)
When the Lord calls us to serve, we must not hold back because we think that we have little or nothing to offer. The Lord takes what ordinary people, like us, can offer and uses it for greatness in his kingdom. Do you make your life an offering to the Lord and allow him to use you as he sees fit?
In this final article on the religious life of sisters, I share the witness of Benedictine Sister Teresa Gunter from the Sisters of St. Benedict. Sister “T” is the perfect example of one humbly using her gifts to build up the kingdom of God. At the age of 22, her Daddy drove her six hours from Arkansas to Ferdinand to join the Benedictine Order of Sisters. She said, “He told me, if I ever wanted to come home just to let him know.” There were five boys and three girls in their family and she added that her parents were very supportive about their children discerning a vocation of priesthood or religious life. “Two of my brothers entered seminary and then chose the vocation of marriage. At a very early age I remember discussions in our family about religious life,” she added.
The Immaculate Conception Monastery in Ferdinand is one of the largest Benedictine communities of women in the United States — 163 members strong, they were founded in 1867 by four young Benedictine sisters who came to Ferdinand to teach the children of area settlers. Since then, more than 1,000 women have entered the community and have expanded the ministries both beyond education and beyond Ferdi-nand. “The life in this community of sisters is ‘awesome,” and a total fit for my life,” said Sister “T.” The Rules of St. Benedict are finding God in the ordinary circumstances of daily life. There is always a balance of work and prayer — ora et labora. The Sisters are teachers, social workers, parish ministers, counselors, nurses, youth ministers, chaplains, librarians, and more; there is even a firefighter among them.
When you think about the religious habits of the sisters in the years past, would you ever have imagined a sister wearing a full blown heavy firefighters uniform? Well, Sister “T” not only sets the Church on fire with her ministry, she has assisted real firefighters. She said, “Being a volunteer firefighter has given me the humbling experience of being with people in stressful times. Whe-ther it’s a medical call, an auto accident, or a fire, I get to spend a few moments with people when they are most in need. I have the opportunity to pray with them, comfort them, and explain what is happening. It’s a ministry I’m not sure I would have been part of if I weren’t a sister. It has been a time of grace for me. Before I entered the Sisters of St. Benedict, there were many things I wanted to do that I thought I wouldn’t be able to if I became a sister. I wanted to serve in another coun-try, through the Peace Corps. I also wanted to have a lot of children. I never would’ve believed that I would serve in Guatemala for a year or that I would be responsible for over 300 youth and love them as my own. But that’s some of what I’ve done as a sister. If religious life is something you’re thinking about, you’re not going to know if it’s for you unless you try. You’re not going to lose anything by trying; you’ll gain so much. And what you learn, you take with you whatever your call ends up being.”
It may be the beautiful red hair, the engaging, infectious smile, or her very visible heart on fire for Jesus, but whatever you experience in meeting Sister “T” you know it is a real gift from the Holy Spirit being used to fulfill the “call,” which God has designed for her. Besides a volunteer firefighter, Sister “T” is a teacher of music, physical education and a youth minister.
At the heart of Catholic Social Teaching is the fundamental principle of the dignity of every human life. Sister “T” responds to this belief as a Catholic Sister living in the world today with great passion and understanding. We are all called to defend the ‘Gospel of Life.’ From the lives of the saints to the basics of Catholic Social teaching, from the Sacred Liturgy to the everyday moments of our lives, we walk together to fulfill our call to be saints in the making. This past week Sister “T” traveled with hundreds from our diocese to walk in the March for Life in Washington, DC, as she has many times. She is involved with CAJE, Congre-gations Acting for Justice and Empowerment in the Evansville area. This interdenominational group is working on a project for affordable housing, transportation and opportunity for those who are homeless, especially teens. Sister “T” is also a Youth Minster for St. Anthony Parish in Evansville. She appreciates the support from this parish in the investment of their youth, by financially supporting programs like Life Teen, Change for Change, where they raised $2700 for Africa, and the Dave Ramsey Program, which helps teach about budgeting money, to name a few. Sister also commented on the great job our diocese does in promoting opportunities for our young adults and youth, with Teens Encounter Christ, Source and Summit, and many other ways for youth to find God in their life. “As Catholics, we all need to recognize the importance of this support for the young people who are the Church; especially those on the fringes, those finding God in their own varied faith journeys.”
“Learn from me because I am meek and humble of heart” Matt. 11:29. I have worked with Sister “T” on TEC weekends, and as I observe her interaction with young people, I can see that she does not hold back in whatever the Lord “calls” her to do. I would invite everyone to support with prayer, the gift of the religious sisters, brothers, deacons and priests of our diocese. In southern Indiana we have a very rich history invested in the Catholic Church. We are blessed with a treasure trove in the gifts of St. Meinrad Archabbey, the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Terre Haute, and Vincennes, I might add. Visit these beautiful holy places, support them financially, and let these wonderful people of God know how much they are appreciated. In everything give thanks, and remember the most important points made by Sister “T” in this final article on religious vocations . . . Catholic families talk about religious life in their homes as an option for their children’s vocation, Catholic Parishes support their youth with physical presence, as well as financial support, and our diocese offers plenty of opportunity to do just that. Ordinary people do make the difference in the greatness of God’s kingdom. Trust in God and support our beautiful Catholic Church, with the actions of your faith and love. Amen!