Nuns from India are here to help
Sister Cecily, left, Sister Johnsi and Sister Bridget recently spoke about their experiences helping in Tuscarawas County.
Five nuns from the same state in India were assigned to Tuscarawas County to serve the Catholic Church community. The nuns are based at the Immaculate Conception Church in Dennison, where the former rectory was refurbished for their use.
These women are Sister Cecily, Sister Johnsi and Sister Bridget, who were available for the interview, and Sister Sheela and Sister Ester. They are all from the state of Tamilnadhu, India.
The sisters discussed what led them to their vocation, which takes six to nine years of novitiate before final vows are taken. Sister Bridget was named by her uncle, who was a priest.
“When I was born, my uncle was speaking to the bishop about the need for a convent in his parish. He named me Bridget, thinking I would become a sister,” Sister Bridget said.
His influence led her to her local convent. “I was always with the sisters. I slept there; I prayed with them. By seeing their prayer life, I wanted to become a sister,” she said.
Sister Johnsi’s parish priest encouraged her to attend a boarding school operated by nuns after her father passed away when she was in the third grade.
“He took care of everything for me, and he also asked the sisters to take care of me,” she said.
In high school, when her friends were going to college, Sister Johnsi struggled. She sought guidance by sitting in silence in Jesus’ presence. It is something important she still continues to do, along with saying the rosary.
“I am happy and blessed in my life,” she said.
Sister Cecily once dreamed of being a classical dancer or a police officer, but when her father suffered a severe heart attack and was not expected to live, a miracle and an answered prayer led her down a different path.
During her trip to visit her father in the hospital, two bad signs occurred — a bloody fall from her scooter and a lost but recovered suitcase. She did not let it deter her. Once there, she and her biological sisters began to pray, and within a few hours, they received the news that their father was going to survive.
“So, really, I want to be very faithful to God because he answered my prayer, so this is my vocation,” Sister Cecily said.
Now in the United States, the sisters’ determination has led them to face their biggest challenge so far — the English language. Kathy Hamilton, director of faith formation at Sacred Heart Church in New Philadelphia and Immaculate Conception Church in Dennison, has helped them with pronunciation and understanding the U.S. meaning of some terms.
“Sister Esther told the story of one of the kids who came in and said he had to go potty, and she didn’t have a clue what he meant,” Hamilton said.
American food is not to their liking. The women prefer spicy Indian food, which they cook for themselves.
The nuns are enjoying their time in Tuscarawas County and help wherever needed.
“They are sisters of all trades,” Hamilton said.
During the school year, Sister Cecily is at Tuscarawas Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School. Sister Bridget, who is a nurse, and Sister Johnsi are at TCC Central Catholic Elementary School in Dover, and Sister Shelia and Sister Esther, who also is a nurse, are at Immaculate Conception Elementary School in Dennison. They have assigned duties and also help wherever needed. During the summer they will help with Vacation Bible School.
The sisters also are involved with spending time with area girls in two groups that involve fun, fellowship and prayer. The Sisterhood is for girls in fourth grade through sixth grade, and the Sisterhood Too is for girls in seventh grade through 12th grade.
The sisters have a few favorite activities including working fish dinners during Lent, working with children, and attending Mass and visiting with parishioners.
The sisters are grateful to everyone in the area for being so welcoming to them. Fr. Jeff Coning, pastor at Sacred Heart and Immaculate Conception, has been especially kind.
“Wherever we are, he knows what we are doing and what we need before we ask,” Sister Cecily said.
The sisters like to attend Mass every day, which is not always possible when they are helping in the schools. They are grateful Coning and Fr. Raj, who was recently reassigned, took turns saying Mass for them in the afternoon.
“That is the biggest thing for us,” Sister Cecily said.
Hamilton works closely with the nuns and is thankful for their service. She sees their presence and willingness to help as a gift from above.