Sr. Amanda
West Bloomfield, MI
21 years old
I wasn’t always into my Catholic faith, but at the end of high school I went on a Kairos retreat that completely changed my life. On that retreat I had a profound encounter with Christ, which gave me a longing to know Him more intimately and a deep desire to give myself entirely to Him. Within my heart I felt as though Christ was calling me to Himself to be His bride and from that time I’ve wanted nothing more than to be just that.
I first met the Dominican Sisters in 2005 at the final profession of four Sisters. Their zeal and joy made a big impression on me and I decided that I would go back for a discernment retreat. After talking to my parents about my possible religious vocation, they suggested that I finished college first and then pursue the convent. Taking their advice, I graduated from Oakland University in the spring of 2008 with my bachelors in psychology and planned to enter the same year. I had a deep love for the Community and felt a strong sense of belonging and peace, but at the same time I was too afraid to let go and take the leap of faith to join the Community. Being a Chaldean Rite Catholic, the liturgy, language, and culture has always been a big part of my life. I feel privileged to be able to speak and pray in Aramaic, the language of Jesus, and to participate in all of the Chaldean Church traditions. I felt that if I left my community to join the Sisters I would be losing a part of myself that was very dear to me. I decided instead to join a group of Sisters in my Rite and to stay within the Chaldean community.
Although I was avoiding God’s will for me, He in His love and mercy brought me back to where I am supposed to be. During that time I realized something very important. In following Christ, we don’t lose any part of who we are, but instead He transforms us into who we are meant to be. I would like to thank my family and friends and all of the priests, Sisters and seminarians who have prayed for me during my discernment, especially Fr. Frank Kallabat and Fr. Andrew Younan. I am so happy that Christ has led me home to this Community and I pray through the intercession of His Mother that I continue to do His will all the days of my life.