Sister Gladys Courtade, SSND

• Professed 1972
• Current Minsitries: Primary teacher at Prince of Peace/Principe de Paz School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, parent-teacher translator, mentor of seminary student from Peru
• Previous Ministry: Mission work in Guatemala

Being as SSND has given me the privilege to accompany the poor, especially women and children. At the heart of my ministry is the desire to enable persons to recognize and celebrate themselves as irreplaceable treasures in God’s story. In this way, Mother Theresa and I walk hand in hand in my ministry with the children of Prince of peace.

Belonging to an international community, I was gifted with the experience of living in another culture/country. While in Guatemala, the poor taught me the meaning of faith through their daily lived experiences. It will take a lifetime to unfold the learnings received in befriending a culture other than my own.

My first experience of SSND was at West Catholic High School in Grand Rapids, MI. At that time, there were 32 sisters in the community with a vibrant and hope-filled spirit In befriending them I became more aware of my own inner call to a deeper relationship with jesus within a supportive community experience. Though letting go of a pre-engagement commitment was painful, the final decision to respond to this call brought great freedom and joy to my heart. This allowed me to respond in a much broader way to my heart’s dream: to accompany those who suffer from lack of basic needs, are oppressed and need to know that they DO have a voice and someone to support them in using it.

If you’re “interested” in religious life today, the very “interest” speaks of a call to “come and see.” Be proactive and check it out, get to know a sister personally, and pray your heart out. God will guide you to your heart’s desire which is where His will resides.

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