A Personal Story:
Why I Became a Dominican Sister
Barbara Ann Sgro, OP

I was a professional in the field of Developmental Disabilities for twenty years before realizing that I had a call to religious life. I entered the Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt, New York, six years ago at age forty-one. It feels like I've been preparing for this blessed journey my whole life.

The seeds of my relationship with God were sown by my parents when I was very young. Born and raised in a small village in the Hudson Valley in New York, I attended Catholic schools through high school and received a Bachelors Degree from Buffalo State University College in Special Education. I was always an actively practicing Catholic, but my real interest in journeying with God didn't begin to significantly develop until I was at Buffalo State through the Newman Center. I can still remember my initial response to seeing how the liturgies were celebrated at the Newman Center. The Eucharist was presented in the hand (something I had never experienced before), and at first I couldn't even see the crucifix in the Chapel. The altar, with its wrought iron human figures holding up the marble table, intrigued me and the intensity of its message was inviting. I spent most of my free time at college in Newman-sponsored activities, held leadership positions in the club, participated in ecumenical activities and eventually taught CCD.

Why I became a Dominican Sister of Blauvelt Barbara Ann Sgro, OP The Best Decision I Ever Made Sister Theresa Rickard, OP

My next level of spiritual growth occurred when a new pastor was assigned to my parish in 1988. His close relationship with Christ was evident in his reverence when celebrating Mass, his fervent pleading in his homilies to let go to God, to accept suffering as opportunities to meet Christ, and in his firm belief that good will triumph over evil. His openness to the people was also a welcoming sign. When the parish began looking for CCD teachers, I felt compelled to respond. Through this experience, I felt the Spirit of Christ moving within me. What mattered most to me was that I bring Christ to the students and that they see Christ not only in the Church, but also in today's world. This remains my passion. The beginning of an even deeper level of change came for me when I received a personal invitation from a parish staff member to visit her community, the Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt, New York. I was immediately impressed by how the Sisters spoke of their ministries and prayed. The spirituality, sincerity and mutuality of that weekend touched a passion in me. I felt a calming presence come over me that I could only identify as "God." Although I had been a very active Catholic, this feeling was very different from anything I had ever experienced before; I was responding to God on a deeply intense, spiritual level.

The experience of that weekend initiated my several year journey of discovering a vocation. I'm a firm believer in signs and I felt that several experiences I had might be signs of God calling me to religious life. I began to think about God more frequently, especially when reflecting on nature. I became more immersed in the parish ministries that I was already involved in, and the feeling of the Spirit moving within me was even more intense; it wasn't me speaking, but God speaking through me. After becoming an Associate of the Sisters, I grew to realize that I was very happy. Still I was left with a feeling that "I want to drink more of this cup." So I began a relationship of Spiritual Direction that helped me really see how God was present and active in my life.

The final turning point for me came when I realized that I could let go of the one thing that mattered most to me was my job. I was fully engaged in my career of working with persons with severe and profound mental retardation in a day treatment setting. It was not about longevity, but I viewed my work as a ministry. I was concerned that if I entered religious life, I would have to separate fully from the agency where I had worked for many years because there was no leave of absence policy that could cover a year-long novitiate experience. I had a conversation with my long-time employer and there were no guarantees. Yet, when I left his office, the song, "Table of Plenty," and specifically the words, "God will provide," were playing in my head. I let go and gave all to God.

The past five and a half years of practicing the experience of letting go have been a blessing. I am a freer, more loving person. I am energized and challenged to further use my gifts and talents for the sake of service. I continue to find myself more deeply attracted to my community's mission and charism. I reap many riches from community prayer and I'm challenged by preaching opportunities. I find myself more passionately drawn to God. Prayer is an important and integral part of my life; it nurtures and sustains me in this lifestyle. I'm very grateful to God for leading me on this path towards fullness of life.