Celebrating 60 Years of Religious Life
When asked what attracted Sister Sheila to the Wheaton Franciscans:
“After over 30 years of vowed life with the Peoria Franciscans, I was incorporated into the Wheaton Franciscans beginning in 1999. I was attracted to the social justice dimension of these Sisters and resonated deeply with their philosophy of human and community development. I saw a group of loving women who were intent on being all they could be. I felt very happy and free in the company of these Sisters and sensed deeply that I had come home.”
Sister Sheila shares a brief highlight of her story:
I learned in every situation of ministry. As a teacher, children taught me the importance of being positive and building on their strengths. As a principal, teachers taught me the importance of supporting the work that others do. As a Director of a Diocesan Office, I learned the importance of building trust before collaboration. Working with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault taught me the resiliency of the human spirit. In the housing ministry, residents taught me the importance of sustaining quality of life and maintaining quality of living conditions.
In the process I developed for the Integrity for Nonviolence Program, I shared stories from my ministries and personal experiences. I am passionate about this work because in practicing nonviolence I have learned how to integrate my experiences, share insights, and invite others to the same level of sharing. This process has touched a deep need in society and has engaged other people who are vitally interested in pursuing this practical practice of nonviolence.
How would you like to be remembered?
I would like to be remembered as a person who practiced what I spoke about in the Integrity for Nonviolence Program.
Sister Sheila
