Sr. Kate's Story

In my decision to enter the religious life I have to say that it was not something that came to me over night.

It was in some ways a gradual process, there were times in my life that I felt as if God was nudging me and inviting me to a life of service with him.

As a child, I did have some experience of sisters as they taught at my Primary School. I was particularly fond of the Head teacher called Sister Andrea. From being about 7 or 8 I did feel I would like to be a religious sister. I really wanted to give my life to God, serve poor people, help the homeless and work with people in prison. Quite a tall order for an 8 year old!

During my teenage years I still felt in some way called to give my life to God’s service. Although I did have this yearning, I still enjoyed my teenage years in every way, partying, friendships and the likes.

I joined a group called the Young Christian Workers and as part of this, I attended a Leaders weekend. During the weekend I met an elderly sister who asked me: “What are you going to do with your life?” I replied, “To be a nun and to travel!” At this point the sister invited me to go to Romania and work with street children, and babies in an orphanage. Some sisters were already working there and I worked alongside them. I was very disturbed by the sights and suffering of so many people but I also felt a sense of God`s presence with me at this time.

"Truly the presence of God was in this place."

On my return from Romania I worked in Social Services for 6 years. Enjoying my work there, I was invited to train as a social worker. However, it was at this point that I felt more and more, the call to serve the Lord in religious life. I was really struggling with this stirring inside me, this calling and I just felt I had to do something about it.

In October 1999, I took my first step of finding out more about religious life and I became a postulant with the Sisters of Charity of St Paul the Apostle. I became part of a community and lived with the sisters. My intention was, I thought, to stay there for about 6 months and then get on with the rest of my life. I believed that 6 months would be long enough to get this religious life thing out of my system! God, however, had other plans and here I am.

Ten years on, I am still a Sister of Charity of St Paul the Apostle. I feel that I have been blessed and enriched in so many ways and have encountered experiences along the journey that have really helped me become the person God created me to be.

“I am the potter, you are the clay.”

“I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper not disaster.”

Sr Kate Ryan