The four vowed women religious in this year's Together program took some time to respond to questions about themselves. Learn more about their inspiring journeys to Chicago! They are (from left in the header photo): Sisters Leah Kinyua, SE; Kabule Kazembe, OP; Maribah Ishaq, SL; and Abisola Clare Adelakun, FSPA.
Sister Kabule Kazembe, OP
Dominican Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Zambia
Program of study at CTU: Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS)
I joined the Dominican Sisters in 1996, and this year in April, I celebrated my Silver Jubilee. Prior to my teaching training, I worked in the convent laundry, kitchen, garden and nursing home for our elderly sisters. I also did reflections for the diocesan radio station. I’m a trained teacher, but the congregation entrusted me with additional responsibilities that required me to acquire skills, and so I did the following short courses: financial management, project management and fundraising, health care management, Dei Verbum and spiritual direction. Over the years and at different times, I have worked as a teacher of history, religious education at the same time offering guidance and counselling to pupils and teachers, vocation promotion and youth ministry, Community leadership, school bursar, regional bursar, project manager and giving talks and workshops. After my studies, I will go back to Zambia, equipped with knowledge and skills for better service delivery in ministry.
I was inspired to join the Dominicans by their three-fold moto of evangelization: “To praise, to bless, to preach,” lived out in community life, prayer, simplicity and selfless service.
I have a great devotion to Divine Mercy and Carlo Acutis, and I always trust in God’s providence. I also have a passion for learning, reading and writing, creating and coming up with new things, mentoring, problem solving and alleviating suffering. I like sharing my faith and seeing people use their minds and creativity to excel.
Sister Kabule's effort to provide solar energy and clean water to her community in Zambia was featured in an article by Medicines for Humanity. Read article
Leah Kinyua
Sisters of Emmanuel, Kenya
Program of study at CTU: Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS)
I hold a bachelor of arts degree in education. I also hold a certificate in spiritual direction and an associate degree in intercultural studies. I have served in different ministries in my congregation whereby I have been involved in guidance and counseling in our school. I have also served as a clerk, served as a teacher, and also as a formator in my congregation. I worked in the Association of Sisterhood in Kenya, where I meet with sisters from different parts of Africa. I also worked as a youth training officer at the Loyola Centre for Media and Communications, an organization for Jesuits in Kenya.
I look forward to working in diversified fields of pastoral ministries in the church to alleviate the situation of my people in Kenya, especially those who are marginalized and living in dire poverty. I felt inspired to be trained in pastoral ministry to be better equipped to assist all people who need my help.
I was inspired to join my congregation as I felt inspired to follow Christ more closely drawn to the sacred heart of Jesus which is full of compassion. I felt the need to be fed and draw compassion from the source which is the sacred heart of Jesus and in the same way to pass on this compassion to the poor and marginalized, especially those who are neglected in Kenya and elsewhere human beings may be suffering. I am also open to working anywhere my superior sees necessary especially as I respond to God's will in my journey.
An unexpected thing I would like people to know about me is that I am an adventurer.
Maribah Ishaq
Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross, Pakistan
Program of study at CTU: Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS)
I was born and raised in Pakistan, and I belong to a Catholic family. I am from Punjab, Pakistan, and from a small town named Jhelum. My mother was a catechism teacher, and she taught for 45 years with the Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary (PBVM). My father was a parish member for his whole life. When I started teaching with the PBVM sisters, I was 18 years old. While I worked, I continued my studies and completed my master’s degree in education. I taught for 11 years in my hometown and at the PBVM school.
My two aunts, my mother’s sisters, are Sisters of Loretto. I was attracted by the mission when I saw them and met the sisters who visited Pakistan. Their devotion attracted my attention, and I thought of joining this congregation whose charism is, “We work for justice and act for peace, as the Gospel urges us.” I joined the congregation in 2020. In 2022, I came to the United States for my novitiate at the InterCongregational Collaborative Novitiate (ICCN) program in Chicago. I recently made my vows in June 2024 at our motherhouse in Nerinx, Kentucky.
My goal for the future is women's empowerment and gender justice. As a woman from an Islamic country and a minority, I believe women need to have many more rights than they currently have. It is my desire, not only to speak for the women but also for those who are oppressed, so that they will have the confidence to speak for themselves. I am walking a path to pick the weeds, and I will sow the seeds of good deeds. Amen.
I love reading mysteries and working with different kinds of art. I like sketching and experimenting with watercolors to stay focused and relax my mind. I am trying to find the mysterious art of God in my life and in the life of others too.
Abisola Clare Adelakun
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Program of study at CTU: Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS)
My legal name is Clara Abisola Adelakun. I am a Nigerian. But my preferred name is Abisola Clare. Abisola is my Yoruba name. I got inspired to be called Clare since I became aware of St. Clare of Assisi. I originate from Ibadan, Oyo State, Southwest, Nigeria, West Africa. I have spent all my life in Nigeria. I began life in my biological family as God’s heritage. I am from a large family of parents, siblings, cousins, uncles, aunts and so on. We live together to share our blessings and challenges as each day has it.
I have an associate degree in business administration, a degree in marketing, and a post-diploma degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution. After college, I proceeded to begin my religious life formation with support and prayer from family and God’s people. It has been a life worth living for Christ. Practicing a selfless life for God and his people. To serve and learn from all. It is a life to be a voice for the voiceless.
My goal for the future is to be ready to plunge myself wherever the Eucharistic Jesus wants me to witness. To embody the Eucharistic Jesus in the footsteps of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi. “I believe that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).