Sister
Mary Sarah Ellen McGuire
“Two roads
diverged in a wood,
Sister
Mary Sarah Ellen McGuire
“Two roads
diverged in a wood,
and I – I took the one less traveled by,
-Robert Frost
In the above citation, Frost captures
a running theme in my life. I always seem drawn down the “less traveled by”
road. On my journey I have been blessed
with a wonderful family. My mom has
been a great support, as well as my sister Jennifer, 26, and my brother Timothy,
20. I have been fortunate enough to be educated in schools staffed by the
IHM Sisters for the past 17 years and I believe this has contributed to my
vocation. The Sisters, at Saint Philomena School, Archbishop Prendergast High
School, and Immaculata University were beautiful witnesses.
They placed religious life out there as an option.
It was an option I entertained every once in a while, but seriously
began to consider as a junior at Prendie. I could feel God tugging at my heart
to follow Him in a special way.
When
I began looking into colleges I met another fork in the road.
I had originally wanted to go to Cabrini, but on the advice of a friend
I visited Immaculata. I felt right at home on campus, which confirmed that
this was the path I was being called down. Living at Immaculata made going
to discernment days and retreats provided by the IHM Vocation Directress a
lot easier. As a freshman, I began to volunteer at the
Early Learning Center on campus. It was here that I met my sponsor, Sister
Miriam George Kelly. I marveled at her daily joy, love of teaching, and fidelity.
Through her example, I have seen what it is to follow God with all your heart
every day. She has been a constant
support, guide, and wealth of wisdom for me ever since.
After
my sophomore year, I again felt God calling me down another road. I knew then
that I wanted to be an IHM Sister and I felt God was asking me to embrace
His call before graduation. This took me by surprise because I had set plans.
I was going to continue at IU, graduate with my degree, and then enter. That
was that! Or so I thought.
The harder I fought for what I wanted the unhappier I became. When
I finally put my wants aside I began to see that it was God’s time for me
not what I wanted His time to be. So I decided to go the route of entrance
and gave up my planned senior year for the Postulate. In the end I did graduate
with my class in May and I received my BA in Theology.
If given the choice I would do it again. This year has
taught me so much. I have come to see that the joy of living the IHM charism
is what I was drawn to in the first place. Through daily living out and learning
more about the aspects of this spirit and the spirituality of one who is a
daughter of Alphonsus, I feel confident that this is how I am called to serve
God and others. I have also learned so much more about myself, as well as,
the joy and support of community living. The peace that I have from traveling
this road “has made all the difference.”
Fiat