Sister Jane Mary Lorbiecki, SSND

• Professed 1967
• Current Ministry: Pastoral Associate at St. Mary Parish in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

How did I become a School Sister of Notre Dame? I was born and raised in a very Catholic family. Our family attended mass weekly, as well as Sunday night rosary and benediction. My folks also belonged to the Perpetual Prayer Program and each had a Holy Hour. Mom's was on Friday afternoon. Sometimes I'd pop in after school and pray a little with her. In summer, we always cleaned on Friday, so as the Hour drew near, mom would give me a choice to finish cleaning so she could go to church or to take the Hour. I always went to the Hour to get out of cleaning! However, those Friday summer afternoons did offer me a chance to just "BE" there in church alone.sometimes I'd pray the rosary or the stations, and sometimes I'd just "sit" and think and ask "What am I going to be when I grow up?" I certainly was influenced by the faith life of my parents, as well as the SSNDs I had as teachers.

During my school years, I was affirmed for my gifts and talents. The sisters and pastor encouraged me to think about a vocation as a sister. I wanted to enter the convent after 8 th grade, but my parents wanted me to attend Messmer High school. (In those days, one could enter our SSND high school called an "Aspiranture"). I became involved in a variety of activities and also dated. I had a steady boyfriend when I was a senior. Yet, the thought never left me.what would it be like to be a Sister? I figured I had better at least find out. I went on a weekend retreat at Notre Dame of the Lake, now Concordia College. I found a real peace.

I wanted to enter the community after graduation from high school, but since I was 17, my folks thought a year of work and earning my own paycheck would be good for me. I worked as a secretary at Catholic Social Services, which instilled in me even more of a desire to do something in my life that would help people and make a difference. I applied to enter and after another weekend of testing, I was invited to enter the community. In May, I told my boyfriend when we were coming home from a concert. He wasn't surprised but wanted to know if we could still see each other. We dated, and our last date was the first release of "The Sound of Music!" the week before I entered. That was 40 years ago!

Throughout my 38 years as a Sister I've had a wide variety of ministries, all of which have assisted me. I think it's obvious at St. Mary, Menomonee Falls, and from many other parish and community experiences that I am very happy and fulfilled as a woman religious. I have lived in a variety of community settings: from living singly, to living with one other, to living with 30 Sisters. Currently I live with four other SSNDs. I've been able to travel to visit our sisters in several areas of the United States as well as Europe and Mexico. I have been involved in our SSND Associate program as well.

Have I had doubts along the way? Yes, I almost left the community in 1972 and I also had another vocation crisis in 1990 when I began vocation ministry. Each day is a renewal, each day has wonderful opportunities and every once in awhile, some real challenges to face. With God's help, supportive community and friends and family, those in this or any lifestyle need to take it "one day at a time" even though we have said YES forever!

Vocation stories are as different as the people who live them. I encourage you to think about some of what is required for a church vocation: faith in God, reasonable intelligence and good health, desire to serve God and people, especially service to the poor, openness to see where it all goes. Church vocations begin someplace. in your own families and circles of friends. Help and encourage someone to at least think about it or find out more. It really is a life that calls forth and gives many gifts. It is a life of intimacy with God and others in wonderful ways. Come and see.

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