In 1988 I took a position with Jostens Learning to service ten computer labs of the Catholic Schools of Portland. For the next ten years I visited ten schools a week, one each morning and one each evening. I worked with three orders of Sisters during that time and was struck by the differences in the charism of those orders. I was drawn to the hospitality and light-hearted approach to life that I found in the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. Sister Mary Ryan kept me alive with peanut butter sandwiches as I breezed through Holy Cross School. Sister Joan Berger shared her humble but fierce approach to life. I spent a lot of my extra time with Sister Joan Berger and Sister Joan Hansen. In 2001 Sister Joan Hansen invited me to consider becoming an Associate. Sister Jane Lord worked with me for the next year until I made my first promises. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with many of our Sisters. I have served on leadership of the Southeast Mission Center, the Associate Coordinating Committee, and the Congregational Associate Network.
I am a lifelong educator and cannot imagine my life without the companionship of my many Holy Names Sisters and Affiliate friends. My prayer life is richer for the many hours of mutual prayer and many retreats. My understanding of theology and our earth connections have been nurtured by books clubs, discussions and attending talks by authors. I have been welcomed and supported the past twenty one years by scores of Holy Names.