Postulant Shari shares her call to be a Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity.
“The Lord is my Shepherd; I have all that I need.
I grew up on the family farm near Keota, IA where my parents continue to reside. I have one older brother, Bob. I attended public schools for all my education. After high school, I attended Indian Hills Community College, and then transferred to Western Illinois University where I earned a Bachelor of Social Work Degree. My discernment journey did not begin until the first semester I was at WIU when I attended a retreat at the Nashville Dominicans with the WIU Newman Center. The retreat sounded interesting, so I signed up with no intention of joining a religious community and no idea of what to expect. However, God had different plans as this retreat changed my life forever. Since the retreat, the call to religious life was a roller coaster, but never went away. After a while I realized that it was a sign to me from God that religious life was what he wanted of me. I visited several communities, but none seemed to be a of Christian Charity which I found online. I spoke with Sr. Julie Ann, who indicated the first step was to attend a silent retreat. I chose not to make a decision immediately following the retreat, but the Holy Spirit was still nudging me to visit again, so I did. After the second visit, the Holy Spirit would not give up and asked me to apply. God made it clear what he wanted and I did not have a valid reason to say “no”. 
Although I attended Mass weekly and on holy days growing up, I was not actively involved in church ministry until I became active in the Newman Center, except for carrying gifts as a family and helping with church suppers. I cannot express enough gratitude and appreciation for all the Newman Centers, which do make a difference. At the Newman Center, I became active as a lector, choir member, Eucharistic Minister, Newman Council Member, and Koinonia Retreat Team Member. After college, I moved to Moberly, MO where I worked as a Community Support Specialist. In Moberly, I was active at St. Pius X Catholic Church as a song leader and CRHP Retreat Team Member. I then moved to Davenport, IA where I worked for the State of Iowa. Upon moving to Davenport, I joined Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church where I was a choir member, lector, and CEW Retreat Team Member. Later on, I decided to transfer to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Davenport, which was closer to where I resided. At St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, I was involved as a lector and choir member. I was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Davenport, IA when God called me to enter the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity in Manitowoc, WI. I worked in the Social Work field for approximately 8 years prior to my arrival at the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity and Holy Family Convent. It is my joy to be here and to follow God’s call. 
We invite you to our coming retreats or invite us to meet you where you are.
