How did these women come to this choice? What are their lives like? Look at this page for some answers.
Sister's Stories

"We are risk-takers"
"We are women of love"
"We have a mission"
"We're prayerful"
"We're hospitable"
"We are free"
"We are flexible, dedicated and caring"
"We focus on other people from birth to death"
"We're at home with each other and with those we serve"
"We have a pioneer spirit"
"We are women in touch with the human condition"
"We collaborate with others in ministry to serve the larger cause"

 

Ask 12 different CSA sisters for a phrase to describe what it means to be part of our Community and you'll likely get a dozen different responses. We see our incredible diversity as  a positive gift. Here's a self-portrait in words -

The different types of professions in which we engage fit into the Community's mission of health, education and social services. We grow in our areas of interest, becoming better educated, acquiring skills and experience which will prepare us to hold leadership roles in our fields. This gives us even mare power to carry out God's will.

             Steps toward becoming a Vowed Member of CSA

Step One
First discussions are broad in nature. A woman considering her vocation spends time in reflection on her life story and how God is calling her at this time. She gets in touch with how she wants to relate to God and serve others. The community, through a director and others, explores with her, her physical, psychological, and spiritual health in order to discern her appropriateness and readiness. The woman keeps her job or place of residence while exploring the possibility of religious life.

Step Two
For a period of one to two years, she learns more about the CSA Community, the Church, and evangelization. She'll live with a local CSA community and may change jobs to be more available to meet the expectations of religious life. Although still financially independent, she is expected to live the life of a vowed religious and experiences a transition from an independent to an interdependent life style.

Step Three
The novice lives in community for two years, studying the vows, community life, prayer and ministry. She is focusing on personal growth, deepening her relationship with God and learning ways of sharing her gifts with the community. Ministry at this time serves to keep balance in her life and to encourage the integration of prayer, community life, and service.

Step Four
During the three to six years of temporary vows, the woman is given greater autonomy as she lives in community and develops her talents to serve God and others. At this time she may begin a specific ministry, or continue her education toward ministerial service.

Final Vows
Prepared now to live her vows, her ministry is life-giving, community-based, and God-centered. Her life is marked by growth and guided by the Lord. As a vowed religious, she is personally responsible and accountable in her relationship with the community for continuing her development and ministering as she is called.

If you are interested in knowing more about becoming a Sister of Charity of St. Augustine, please contact us through E-mail or snail mail. The addresses are listed below. Address your inquiry to Sister Catherine Walsh, CSA. We look forward to hearing from you!