Sister Carla Riach praises God for sixty years of Consecrated life as a Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity.
Sixty years as a Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity! Wow! Where has the time gone?
2025 is a double Jubilee Year, not only my 60th but also the 2,025th year of Jesus’ Incarnation. I see jubilee years as times of remembering God’s wondrous deeds of the past and of looking forward with HOPE in God’s continued love and mercy.
And so, I remember with love and gratitude being born to Gertrude and Charles Riach in Rhinelander, Wisconsin and growing up in a stable home with my five siblings. It was there I learned to live in community, sharing work and play, joys and sorrows.
A grace-filled moment in my life was transferring to St. Mary’s Catholic School in 6th grade and being taught by Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. My teachers opened for me the marvelous truths and practices of our faith. It was through Sister Mary de Sales that I heard God’s call to religious life. It took awhile before I dared to believe God was calling me. The joy and enthusiasm of the Sisters attracted me. At that time, I really didn’t know what Religious life was all about. I just wanted to be like them.
It was another blessing to attend Holy Family Academy High School and have my faith life and vocation nurtured in the presence of the Sisters and my classmates. I am deeply grateful for all the educational and formation opportunities provided by our community. These prepared me for living the vows and for ministry, first as an elementary teacher for 19 years and then as a pastoral minister for 39 years.
I recall with fondness and gratitude all the Sisters I lived with at each mission. They provided exemplary guidance on living the religious life and served as outstanding mentors in ministry. I always felt a part of something bigger than myself and the present moment. I am proud to be a part of the history and legacy of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity.
Now I live each day as it comes filled with trust in God’s loving care. I placed my life into His hands 60 years ago and He has proved to be trustworthy! The refrain of a song by Kathy Tracolli often runs through my mind.
“My life is in your hands,
my heart is in your keeping.
I’m never without love,
not when my future is with you.
My life is in your hands
and though I may not see clearly
I will lift my voice and sing
because your love does amazing things.
[See image gallery at fscc-calledtobe.org]
The post Franciscan Sister Carla Riach Praises God for Consecrated Life appeared first on Franciscan Sisters.