Chapter Two

My journey to this stage of my life had been almost six years long. When, as a senior, I was enrolled at St. Pat’s, my first experience with things Catholic, I fell in love with the nuns, the ritual of the Mass, the chanting of the Gregorian in the senior choir. That, incidentally was not always appreciated by the communicants, but more embarrassingly not by Monsignor himself. I don’t think I will ever forget the Mass (we were really making a hash out of our responses and chant) when Monsignor stopped Mass, turned around to face us and commanded “Will the choir please shut up!!!”

Never having had the benefit of much religious training (we went to the church nearest our home as we moved) I was ready for the guidelines of the Catholic Church.  We had, of course, learned the "Now I lay me down to sleep" bedtime prayer.  We had also learned the grace before meals that Uncle Ray said one day - to our childish hysteria - "Bless the food and bless the meat.  Oh, what the hell, let's eat!"  I had lad a long way to go and (unbeknownst to my parents) now was determined to convert.

 I went on to Barry College, also staffed by the Dominican Sisters and by my junior year decided I’d waited long enough. When my parents learned what I was planning, war broke out in our home. I was taken out of college and sent to work at Southern Bell in downtown Miami. Settled into a job I liked and would have remained if not for the strike. My dad had me resign and take on the work of housekeeper at home as Mom had injured her back and needed a lot of help.

It was several months before my dad gave in and said I could go back to school. I made the conditions this time. I had earned enough money to pay for schooling myself and was determined to be independent as possible. I worked that summer too and was able to pay for my own senior year.

I was baptized when I was 21 (and not tossed out of house and home - although it was close) then applied to the Adrian Dominican Sisters to enter their community. As a new convert, I had to wait a year so worked the summer in the office at Barry and then got a job teaching 4th grade at St. Anthony’s in Ft. Lauderdale. My college major had been Latin so I had some major preparation to do for the 9 year olds.

I went home to Holyoke to be with my family (who all thought I was insane) until the date of my departure for Adrian. I remember praying on my knees with outstretched arms – praying for the courage to go ahead with my plan, for the ability to listen kindly to the members of my family who were so opposed.and to go forth without hesitation.

The day came – my dad wouldn’t even get out of bed to say good-by, my mom gave me a bag of my favorite cherries (and then I forgot to take them) and my brother drove me to Logan in Boston for my flight to Dearborn. I was finally on my way and really scared.