I’ve just spent parts of the past two days with over fifty leaders of women’s religious institutes from Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. In our discussions it was clear that we believe in the choice we each made years ago to join a religious community—in my case, the Benedictine Sisters of St. Walburg Monastery. We are faithful to our baptismal call, to the Gospel, our rule, charism, constitutions and perpetual profession. We are formed in the tradition of complete self-donation. We believe the Church needs and desires such commitment. 
We know our median ages and our dwindling numbers. As individuals we will die one day. Our communities may die too, but we don’t believe that has to happen. We wonder, “Are there women who aspire to give totally of themselves to seek for God in prayer, community and service to others? If there are, tell them about us. If not, why not? We and the Church want to know. Sr. Mary Catherine Wenstrup, OSB
I was at the guesthouse this weekend with 10 women connect to Women in Service to Appalachia. We arrived from MI, IN, IL, MA, PA, OH, KY. We are a group of women who actively seek God in prayer, community, and service. We have chosen to live our Call within the boundaries of everyday life. Sometimes that makes for quite balancing act between Call and the demands of everyday life, but for myself, I find it to be a very rewarding Life in Christ.
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