Sister Carole MacKenthun, RSM

On September 8, 1963 I entered the Sisters of Mercy in Watchung, NJ.  Fifty-seven years ago! I believe that God places a dream within each of us that will unfold into our own mission in life. We come to know our vocation by listening to God’s “call” and sensing a nudge or yearning for this type of life. 

However, the events leading up to such a decision began much earlier for me.  I grew up in Hamilton Township in Trenton and was taught by the Franciscan Sisters at St. Anthony School. When I was in second grade, I wanted to become a Sister! I liked the long flowing habits, the smell of soup and cookies in their kitchen, and the fact that they “hung out together.” Because I was an only child, I guess I wanted more sisters in my life. I was impressed by their teaching and their stories of the missionary saints.  I continued my education at Notre Dame High school where I was taught by the Sisters of Mercy. Even though I was a typical teenager and went to proms and dances, I knew that there was something deep within me that wanted more.  Being married was not a perfect fit for me.  My desire to become a sister deepened as I became friendly with many of the Sisters there who were such an inspiration for me.

At the age of 19, I chose to enter the Sisters of Mercy and after the Novitiate professed the four vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and the service of the poor, sick and uneducated. Many hands, hearts and experiences led me to this decision. After studying at Georgian Court College, I became a teacher and then continued at Trenton State for my Master’s degree. I have taught with joy for 52 years and never once desired to do anything else.  Since 2002 I had traveled in the summer months as a missionary in Uganda and brought former students with me. This led to the establishment of my organization “Mission of Mercy” which brings quality education and health care to St. Kizito School in the forest and Alanyi Health Center in the bush area of Uganda.

Each thread of my life has been woven into the tapestry of my vocation. 

Throughout these 57 years I have tried to live out the motto inscribed in my ring: “All my life, love”. The words of Scripture ring true. If you leave all things to follow Christ, you indeed receive a hundredfold of blessings in this life from the love of the children and families you serve.

BEST KEPT SECRET if you are called by the grace of God to follow Him as a sister and be His instrument to share His love in the world. 

   

We are all called by our Baptism to follow Christ in our world.  Early on, as young as second grade, I wanted to be a Sister. I was moved by the young sister I had.  The last two months of second grade I had a different young sister and she became our third grade teacher.  She was so sweet, kind and inspiring and I wanted to be like her and teach. I was taken by the life of St. Mary Alacoque who the Sacred Heart appeared to in the convent in France. She became my patron Saint.

I knew what I wanted and we were constantly being told to think of what we wanted to do with our lives.  I went to a small school Immaculate Conception in Montclair where we were imbued with being a good Christian.  We had a young priest who was involved in our lives on every level, dances, C.Y.O. every week, we had school Masses, workshops, Sodality, retreats, once a year on a weekend off campus in Junior and Senior year, confessions, classes all geared to teach us about being a good Christian.  In those days, we were taught to talk to a priest frequently about our lives and seek counsel.  So I know I went to Confession frequently. To this day, when I hear a scripture passage, I can remember some that the priest shared in confession when I was back in High school. They have stayed with me, all my life. I started to go to Mass every morning in junior year and had a few other classmates with me. My father usually took me to Mass and then I would have breakfast with my friends in the cafeteria before classes started.

I can remember walking with my mom up to town one day and thinking I was going to graduate.  Did I really want to take this on? Did I really want to be become a Sister? What would it be like? Would I make it? Suppose I didn't make it. Would I be embarrassed to leave? Six of us went in the Charities on September 6 at 5:00 that night. Out of our class of 100, 14 of us went into the seminary, brotherhood or convent. Not all stayed but you can see the Spirit was in our environment and among us as we grew up.  

   

I have had a happy life striving to live out my baptismal call as a Sister of Charity of St. Elizabeth. Sisters of Charity were started by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton based on the rule of St. Vincent De Paul. I have had a very fulfilling life as a teacher, minister, Lector, Eucharistic Minister etc. Life is precious and I try to have fun and enjoy each moment and hold God's people in my heart. 

Sept. 2020, Sister Margaret Tierney, S.C.