Sister Nancy Carol Traeger, SSND

• Professed 1955
• Current Ministries: Since I had double knee replacement in July, I have been living at Notre Dame of Elm Grove (NDEG). I am volunteering here at NDEG and Milwaukee Achiever Literacy Services as I progress in my healing.
• Previous Ministries: Prior to coming to NDEG, I was the Adult Faith Formation Coordinator at Holy Redeemer Parish in Marshall, Minnesota

This past year has been one of celebration for me, as I rejoiced in my 50 years of profession and the many fantastic opportunities throughout those years. I am grateful for the many marvelous companions on the journey that I have had over the years, and know that they have all been a part of who I am today.

I am what you might call a "publican," as I was born and raised in a small town that had no Catholic school. Our parish was a mission parish, which meant that we had Mass only on Sundays. I went to the local public school, K-8, and met the School Sisters of Notre Dame during the summer each year, when we had catechism classes for two weeks. I was drawn to them, and, for some reason (I didn't know it at the time!), I felt a strong desire to be a sister at the age of 12. I just knew that I wanted to be a sister! So, I informed my parents one evening, that I was going to be a sister. I'll never forget that night. My mother was knitting and she said, not looking up, "That's nice." My father had his head stuck behind the newspaper and sort of grunted. Years later I found out that he was actually crying behind that newspaper!

I left home after 8th grade and entered what at that time was called the Aspiranture, meaning I was aspiring to be a School Sister of Notre Dame. I was too young to really understand what I was doing or where God was leading me, but things were clarified for me, in a very surprising way, on the day of my First Profession. As I came outside to meet my parents and family, my mother stood up, and, with a beaming and smiling face, told me: "I never told you this, but when I was pregnant with you, I prayed every day that my first child would be either a priest or a sister." Well, I was too dumbfounded to respond, and all I can say is that I am forever grateful to my mother for my call to serve God as a School Sister of Notre Dame!

My favorite story from Scripture that speaks about God's call is that of the rich young man who wanted to follow Jesus. When he heard what Jesus told him to "sell what you have and then come and follow me," he left feeling sad. He did not listen to his heart and therefore he left feeling sad. It's really important to listen to your heart, and know that it speaks the truth as surely as anything! So, that's my word to you: Listen to your heart!

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