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Two women accepted into the FSPA novitiate

 

From left, Sisters Karen Grochowski and Laura Nettles enjoy a moment of celebration during the rehearsal for their reception ceremony.

Insight interviewed Sisters Karen Grochowski and Laura Nettles individually following their reception to the novitiate.

Imagine stepping off a boat in the middle of a lake, to walk on water. The shimmering, undulating surface of water evoked by such an image graced the cover of the May 28 novitiate reception program for Sisters Karen Grochowski and Laura Nettles. They saw the scripture passage read at their reception ceremony (Matt. 14:22-33), as a reflection of their own journey into the unknown.

The two women acknowledged Founders' Day by correlating the risks they have taken with those who have come before them. Included in the service were readings about St. Francis' vision when he was told to rebuild the church, a paragraph about the FSPA founders' vision of religious life, and the contemporary vision of the congregation as expressed in Unity in Diversity (# 2).

"Francis had no clue," Sister Laura observed. "Now we know it was a metaphorical message. That is a great symbol of what we are doing." She notes that similarly the FSPA founders had no idea what their future would hold, "What I am saying yes to now will be different 20 years from now. Our responsibility at this point is to answer with what we have now."

Perhaps reflecting their youth, Sisters Karen and Laura expressed their values in unexpected ways. Sister Lucy Ann Meyer experienced their spontaneity when she arrived at practice for the ceremony and discovered everyone was wearing Hawaiian shirts. The novices had conspired to tease Sister Lucy Ann for concerns she had about the service. They seemed delighted with the stunt even though Sister Lucy Ann did not act too surprised. Sister Laura commented, "What are you going to do when the president shows up in a Hawaiian shirt?"

Other members gave feedback that they were surprised at the way the two women delivered their reflection. Sister Karen said, "Many were impressed that we were able to meld, that we were able to intertwine and come up with a joint statement." (A complete text of their reflection can be found at www.fspa.org.)
With the guidance of Sister Lucy Ann, the new novices have been engaged in a 17-month process of getting to know themselves and the FSPA. Sister Karen notes that Sister Lucy Ann provided the resources and structure for their integration to religious life. Both women suggest that Sister Lucy Ann was a wonderful companion.

Together they have studied Franciscan readings and FSPA history, participated in the seven pre-novitiate weekends, and visited FSPA spirituality centers and historic sites. Individually each novice has deepened self-understanding through coursework at Viterbo and various volunteer and employment opportunities.

Sister Karen Grochowski holds the cake she decorated for the St. Rose sisters' August birthday celebration.

Sister Karen worked at Chileda up to 16 hours a week with children who have developmental disabilities. Her work included getting the children ready for school and working with them one-to-one in their classes. The challenges of the work led her to observe, "I think I came to a greater realization of just how patient I can be. It definitely tested my patience some days."

Sister Karen turned her enjoyment of cake decorating into a shared experience. Each month she has baked and decorated a cake for members living at St. Rose who were celebrating a birthday. Usually she served the cake in the formal dining room. She discovered it was a good way to get to know the sisters in a smaller setting and adds, "They always share wonderful stories."

Coursework and conversations with other members have helped Sister Karen shape the direction for her future ministry. Currently she is exploring ways to combine her interest in working with developmentally disabled children and social work. But she's learned more than that. She says, "My spirituality has deepened, I've come to a better understanding of what that is for me."

Later Sister Karen adds, "I've learned more about who I am, what strengths I possess and where I need to grow. I've gotten better at articulating what is going on inside of me. People have given me that feedback, saying I've developed more confidence. I think I want to continue to grow in this area."

Sister Laura's experiences have been equally revealing. In addition to her volunteer activities with members, she has taught saxophone lessons and directed Easter choirs at Roncalli Newman Center. But her coursework at Viterbo has helped shape a new personal vision for her future. She explains, "As these 17 months have unfolded, I'm more fascinated with ethics." She admits, however, that the strength of this interest has created a new struggle because she does not want to lose her music interests.

Sister Laura Nettles plays the drum during the entrance procession of the vow celebration.

Along with her new focus on ethics, Sister Laura has done extensive reading on the role of women in the church and canon law. Her intensity is revealed when she says, "There is passion and fire behind my interest in ethics and canon law. I think people see the intellectual part, but not the passionate part. I was asked to do a prayer about who I am right now. I felt like I was a bundle of flames about to explode, but I know I have
to wait."

Sister Laura comments that the Meyers-Briggs typology indicates she is a thinker. She suggests that thinkers have a tough time in community and says, "It has been fun to try to figure out how that plays in, and how to tap into the feeling side as I express myself. I've become a softer person."

Neither woman recommends any major change to the associate process. Yet, commenting on the 17-month period, both said they were happy that their reception took place in May, because they were ready to move forward. Sister Laura adds that being called "associates" caused confusion since most congregations use
the word associates to describe the relationship. She offers an alternate name, "candidate."

The perspectives of these young women offer insight into why women choose religious life today. Sister Karen cites her personal goals of making a difference in the lives of others and changing social injustices. "My faith keeps me from turning cynical and gives me a hopeful outlook." She believes religious life is a gift because "there is so much ambiguity in society-there needs to be somebody out there saying there are truths in life, there are things that cannot be dismissed."

Sister Laura indicates that religious life does not feel counter-cultural to her. "I feel at ease, but it took my friends awhile to figure out what is going on." Reportedly, when a friend visited and came to appreciate Sister Laura's choice, she asked whether one had to be Catholic to join. Sister Laura admits religious life is an "unfolding mystery" for her. "That's the Holy Spirit; things came into place for me to be here."

The novices do not see age differences between themselves and most members as an obstacle. Sister Laura notes, "I have connected with sisters who have shared interests; I don't think of age." Sister Karen agrees, but mentions that some sisters tend to forget that the novices have life experiences, "They see us younger than we are."

The 17-month period has given both novices a clearer understanding of the FSPA. Sister Karen says, "I continue to be amazed by what some of the members have done and what amazing women they are." She adds that coupled with this is a more "realistic view of the congregation as a whole." Sister Laura concurs, "I enjoy the real commitment to be a community despite the human foibles that exist. I think I knew that everything wasn't great but I didn't understand the depth of it. After experiencing the hard times you become much more realistic."

In late August Sister Laura will go to the Common Franciscan Novitiate (CFN) in Joliet, Ill. She plans to focus on the vows while there. "Right now I have intellectual knowledge of the vows, but they have to become who I am, a part of me." Sister Karen will move into her apostolic year first. Initially she will be taking theological courses at Catholic Theological Union, doing inner work and volunteer outreach in the Chicago area.

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