Patti Douglass

I remember my Mom telling me when I was six years old that the Bible was the “key of life” – God’s presence among us. This is when I began praying.

I was eight years old when I felt that I wanted to become a nun—in Sister Mary Ellen’s Third grade classroom. Even though I did not explore religious life until much later in life, God kept giving me ample reminders/opportunities to love and serve Him and others in and through the church, work and everyday life.

This strong desire of wanting to ‘do’ so much for God who had done so much for me and humanity, moved me with an urgency to love and serve the whole wide world. Along with this, came an unceasing desire to Praise and Worship this Lord with whom I am in love with.

Actually, I chose the vocation of marriage almost 28 years ago and through God’s grace—given the gift of motherhood. My now 26 year old daughter supports me in exploring my vocation with the Poor Clare Sisters of Greenville; and, as a Police Officer really appreciates knowing we pray for her and her department. She looks forward to any opportunity to get to know the sisters of this beautiful community, the Franciscan/Clarian charism and lived spirituality.

With community, living our call to contemplation within the Gospel life of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience — cloistered in freedom, opportunities abound in loving and serving God and one another in the church through: prayer, work, celebration of life, praise, worship, gazing on the Face of Christ and quiet solitude.

Before entering religious life, born and raised in Queens, New York (go Mets!), I joined the Air Force to serve my country and after many years of service, joined ‘civilians’ working in the Corporate environment in the areas of: Law, Management Consulting and Strategy Planning, Industry Research and Analysis, and Travel for Active Seniors. Moving to areas of community service I worked as a Library Clerk, High School Sub-Teacher and finally Secretarial Assistance within a Women Religious Motherhouse. Active in Parish life, I served on the Evangelization and Hospitality Committee’s, Lector Coordinator, RCIA Certified, Parish Catechetical Leader, Fundraising Committee and Sponsor for RCIA Candidates.

Well, “Here I am, You called me Lord”! Regarding vocation, Saint Clare said, “What you do, may you always do and never abandon” and Saint Francis, “I have done what is mine to do; May Christ teach you what you are to do”. May these truths inspire all of us as we live out our vocational calling in the church today, together—unified in God.