My name is Sr. Toby Marie and I am a "Sister Mom." I had thought very seriously about entering religious life while attending college but I got married and had three wonderful sons. Unfortunately my marriage did not work out and I raised my sons as a single mom. I also had two very successful careers. I worked in daycare when my children were young. I started out as a teacher and rose to center director. After a while I realized that I was not spending enough time with my children and decided to find a new career. I started working for an investment firm and made my way up through the ranks to Assistant Vice President, Manager of Marketing Services. I was very happy working there but in this day and age of company buyouts, our company was purchased by a larger firm.

In the midst of this, came a nudge from the Spirit. God gave me the opportunity to look into something new to do with my life! After much prayer and discernment, I felt that God was giving me a second chance to consider religious life. I had worked with two Sisters in our parish and went to talk with them about "my call." My first question was, "Am I too old to be considered?" They told me with a chuckle that I wasn't. They invited me to the Motherhouse for Mass and an information day. It was a wonderful experience and one of the Sisters invited me to join her meditation group.

Around the same time, I decided to start another profession. I went to school to get training as a Nurse's Assistant. While visiting a couple of the Sisters, I shared with them how much I enjoyed working at this new endeavor. The next thing I knew, I was asked to work in the Motherhouse Health Center. I fell in love with the older Sisters and felt so at home there.

On September 28, 2003, I was accepted as a candidate for the vowed religious life. I lived in community with two Sisters. I continued to work in our health center until I was received as a novice on October 3, 2004. My first year of Novitiate was considered my Canonical year. It was a year of study and reflection. My second year was my Apostolic year. I began my ministry at this point. I have been taking classes in Healing Touch to enhance my ministry with our Sisters. I am encouraged to take seminars on gerontology and Spirituality as they become available.

I made my first profession of vows on Sunday, October 1, 2006. Participating in the liturgy were my three sons, my daughters-in-law, my grandson, my Godparents, several other family members and my Religious Sisters. My children have been warmly welcomed with me into community. I continue to work with our elder Sisters that live in our Motherhouse.

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