I was introduced to SSND when I began first grade at the Institute of Notre Dame. I had wanted to go to school, but because my birthday was in February, our parish school wouldn’t take me until the following year. My parents tried IND, and they let me begin first grade a year early. I went to IND for all twelve years and was greatly influenced by several of my teachers over the years. I remember first thinking about being a sister when I was in 3rd or 4th grade - while eating lunch in one of the lunchrooms along the lower corridor.
After graduation in 1964, I went to St. Joseph’s nursing school, but the thought of being a sister kept coming up. Back then, St. Joseph’s was still on Caroline St.- just a short walk to IND. I would occasionally walk down and share these feelings with Sr. Etto Staab, and Sr. Agatho Ford. It was Sr. Agatho who one day said,” Sharon, just make up your mind – to enter right now, or wait until you finish nursing school!” She also suggested that if I were to join a group of sisters whose ministry was nursing, community life would be difficult because of the shift work that nurses were required to do.
So, I went home and made the decision to apply for entrance into SSND that September. I remember the excitement and peace I felt as I filled out the application and wrote my autobiography. I knew I’d made the right decision. It was only years later that I began to understand what Sr. Agatho had told me about community. I’ve been so very blessed to have been part of life-giving communities and ministries throughout my 51 years of religious life, and although it has changed radically over these years, the community continues to provide the sustenance necessary to live out my religious commitment.
Sr. Sharon Brunier, SSND
Education Coordinator
Marian House, Baltimore, MD
Women Moving from Dependence to Independence
