1970, Archbishop Keough High School
It was here I first met the School Sisters of Notre Dame who have continued to be an inspiration and support in my journey through this life.
I was drawn to these SSND women because I saw in them people who were prayerful and people involved in action for justice. Their desire to continue growing spiritually as well as personally was an inspiring witness for me.
While I was influence by many Sisters at Keough, Sister Rita Bueche particularly shared with me her spiritual journey through my years of high school and beyond. It was because of these experiences I chose to become a School Sister of Notre Dame in 1977. My practice as a vowed religious was rich and varied. I made friendships with Sisters I’ve kept to this day with whom I lived and ministered.
In December of 1981, I left the congregation as a vowed religious but never left the heart of the community. I continued to grow up and into the heart of the SSNDs while teaching at Notre Dame Preparatory School. During my time there, my love for SSND led me to become an Associate in 1998. Also, during my 19 years at NDP, I studied theology at the Ecumenical Institute of St. Mary’s Seminary and University. Also, I also studied and received my license in Massage Therapy.
In 2001, I left NDP to begin a practice in massage therapy. I have been practicing massage for 20 years. In 2005, I founded a holistic center in Towson, Maryland where I and four other practitioners provide work in body, mind and spirit. “earthwalk Center for Wholeness” will be celebrating its 15 year anniversary in March of 2020.
Shortly after leaving NDP, I began to teach at Notre Dame of Maryland University. It was there I enjoyed teaching theology in the Accelerated College for over 10 years.
Again SSND inspired me! After a number of Sisters requested that I work with them as their spiritual director, I studied and completed the Spiritual Direction Institute at Bon Secours in May of 2018.
Currently I am privileged to work at Villa Assumpta in Baltimore practicing massage with the Sisters who reside there. I also have the honor to lead communion services at the Villa. I am inspired by the Sisters while preparing reflections for these services. Again, my prayer is enriched.
My work in massage has lead me to the Asylee Women Enterprises (AWE), where I am honored to work with asylum seekers from many countries. In addition to giving massages, I am delighted to have accompanied one of the women of AWE in the process of becoming an Associate in the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
As I sat at the death bed of Sister Rose Mary Dougherty, I received a longing to better understand the needs of the dying as they transition from this life to the next. I will soon begin the course begun by Rose Mary: Companioning the Dying.
Confucius was right; “Do what you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
