Franciscan Sister Marlita Henseler reflects on the beauty of becoming a Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity. Is Cod calling you to be a Franciscan Sister? if you would like in help in planning your own discernment experience or are looking for in-person and on-line invitations, click here.
Reflecting on 60 years as a religious and almost 80 years of life, I cannot help but think of a Christian song, “The Goodness of God” that I frequently listen to on the car radio while commuting back and forth to my places of ministry over the past three years. The refrain is: “For all my life You have been faithful, . . . and You have been so, so good. I will sing of the goodness of God.” Yes, truly God’s goodness has graced my life and I am deeply grateful. So many blessings have been mine, and I appreciate all the opportunities that my family and the Community have invited me to be a part of in order to grow and deepen in God’s love.
I entered the aspirancy after 8th grade, feeling sure even as a young teen that God called me to make real what I had been feeling since 2nd grade. I often helped my teachers after school or “played school” at home as a youngster at St. Mary’s in Hilbert, Wisconsin. Sisters Marie Emmanuel Leannah and St. Margaret Rufus helped give me a love for learning, and a desire to teach others.
When my parents, Frank and Verona Henseler, moved our family (Eunice, Fritz, myself, John, and Mike; an older sister, Teresa, had already married) to Sheboygan after 5th grade, my memories of those first school years remained fresh and treasured. I even visited Holy Family Convent during the summer to check in with my former teachers.
I have enjoyed being involved in education, both the 16 years as teacher and 26 as principal in Wisconsin and Peru. I have many happy memories of the 6th, 7th and 8th graders in the classroom, and I enjoyed my administration duties, working with students and parents, faculty and school boards as well. There always seemed to be a song in my heart, literally and figuratively, no matter where I was or with whom I was missioned. God’s goodness continued to bless me abundantly.
More recently I also was blessed to serve as a pastoral leader, where there was no assigned priest, at St. Thomas the Apostle, Newton for 12 years. Walking with parishioners in the many facets of parish life allowed me to share God’s gifts in new ways; the joys and sorrows, celebrations of sacraments and anniversaries, and even the challenge of building a new church, drew us to be one in heart and spirit. I was blessed with many faith-filled parish members and staff from whom I learned even more of God’s unending goodness.
In the past four years God’s call has expanded my experiences as I have been able to actualize a desire inspired by Jesus, St. Francis, and from the late Cardinal Joseph Bernadin. He spoke of the “seamless garment”, that of preserving life with a commitment to enhance life. He said: “Those who defend the right of life to the weakest among us must be equally visible to support the quality of life of the powerless among us: the old and the young, the hungry and the homeless, the undocumented migrant and the unemployed worker.”
Both in Mexico and in Arizona, I have again witnessed and been touched by the goodness of God in my ministry to some of the most vulnerable of our world, the poor and homeless and the migrants who seek asylum in the USA. I have seen the face of Jesus in so many of the needy I serve. One guest at Sister Jose Women’s Center where I volunteer (doing laundry for the women who visit) asked me: “Are you a nun? You are a Sister, yes? You are MY sister!” I answered with assurance, “Yes, I certainly am!” And I can say that to each one whom I have had the privilege to serve.
So, indeed, “God’s goodness is running after, is running after me.” as the song concludes. With a full heart, I am grateful that it caught up to me, blessing me generously in my lifetime as a Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity.
The world needs you. God calls you. We invite you.
[See image gallery at fscc-calledtobe.org]
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