Sister Shirley
Franciscan Sister Minoress
I am Sister Shirley of the Divine Mercy and Mercy Sunday 23rd April 2006 was one of the most important days in my life. At a ceremony in Melton Mowbray, in the presence of sisters, family and friends, I publicly committed myself to God for life as a Franciscan Sister Minoress.
It all began way back in 1992 when I took my first steps on the vocation journey. While living and working in Galway, I felt called to the Religious Life and wrote to different Orders for information.
I accepted the invitation to visit one Order that appealed to me: The Franciscan Sisters Minoress. I made my way to their convent in Cabra, Dublin and spent a weekend with them. Sister Columba welcomed me and spent time with me exploring the whole mystery of vocation. Happily for me, Sister Columba is now Mother General and received my commitment for life as a Franciscan Minoress Sister.
I have a great love for Jesus of the Divine Mercy. Although I felt called, I still struggled for several years to answer that call but on Mercy Sunday 1998 I received the grace to respond to my personal call from God to be a Sister.
I entered Religious Life on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, 13th May 1998 and feel an overwhelming gratitude to God, my family, my sisters and the staff of All Saints’ where I am a School chaplain, for their prayer, support and encouragement which have led me to my special day, Mercy Sunday 2006.
I hope this article will inspire many young people to take to heart the words of Pope John Paul II: "Do not be afraid to put out into the deep."
If there is anyone out there who would like to discover more about our way of life, please don’t hesitate to contact us at either St. Clare’s Convent, Stretton Road, Clay Cross, Derbyshire S45 9AQ or www.franciscanvocations.org.uk