A backbone, a funny bone  and a wishbone   by Sister Arlene Kniola, CSC

 
When I was a sophomore in high school, Sister Mary Clare came to our class as a guest speaker and talked to us about a religious vocation. She told us if we wanted to be a religious, we would have to possess three bones – a backbone, a funny bone and a wishbone. I've never forgotten that counsel and now, looking back, realize exactly what she meant.

As for backbone, my spirit and strength of character were shaped by my parents and grandparents. I was born near Lake Michigan in Michigan City, Indiana, on April 19, 1939. My father and mother had both been raised on farms so they encouraged my two brothers and me to participate in physically strengthening activities like hiking, swimming and gardening.
	Arlene with brother Ken and her mother and father

My mother raised a large garden and we quickly learned the value of work. We had all kinds of animals – turtles, fish, cats, dogs, homing pigeons even – and we were taught how to care for them. My favorite pet was my dog, Jackie, which we purchased from the local feed store when I was 6 years old.

When we were young, a neighbor lady drove us every day to St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception parish school, which was on her way to work. Because we arrived before the school was opened, we went to early Mass in the church right next to school. This may have planted the vocation seed. After school we walked the mile and a half home, and were always greeted by Jackie. What fun to have our dog race to greet us each day!

In the summers, my older brother and I spent time on the farm with my grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins. Some of my most memorable moments were accompanying my maternal grandmother when we collected eggs from the chickens, fed the pigs and milked the cows. Her wonderful homemade bread and butter was a delicious reward for our labors.

In fact, many religious women influenced my life and inspired my "wishbone." I loved school and spent considerable time at Marquette High School helping the sisters after classes. Once my mother asked me if I wanted to move my bed into the convent since I spent so much time with them! I also helped in the church during noon hours. A group of us were called the Little Helpers of Loretto, and we learned how to lay out vestments for Mass and keep the church in good order. This was our chance to work side by side with one of the sisters. We all considered this a privilege. I was very attracted to the sisters because of their friendliness and their prayerfulness.

Sister Sheila O'Keefe, the principal and my eighth-grade teacher, was a favorite of mine. She inspired me to begin thinking about serving the Lord in religious life. I wrote to her throughout the summertime and visited her often while attending high school. Her gentle, joyful manner was very inviting.

Sister Maria Concepta was my senior sponsor and English teacher. She wanted all of us to think about college, so at the beginning of my senior year I fibbed a bit and told her that I wanted to go to Ball State Teachers' College. I didn't want anyone to know that I was thinking about religious life. I finally did tell her the truth, and she helped me get ready to enter the Congregation of the Holy Cross. She also took a group of us to Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, Indiana, so we could see the ceremony of the postulants receiving their habits. I was deeply moved. It was a moment of truth for me. I became more and more convinced that I was being called to become a sister.

In fact, that summer as Ken drove me to work each morning at Saint Anthony's Hospital, he let me know that he was not happy about my decision. My parents, too, could not understand why I would want to become a sister. This was a difficult time for me. My heart was heavy, but I was determined.

I arrived at the Novitiate at Saint Mary's in July 1957. When I think back, it was a big step to leave home immediately after high school, but I felt quite sure that this was where God wanted me. Now, some 45 years later, I realize the great graces God gave me – the backbone to take not only that first step, but also the wishbone and resulting blessings to continue.

Besides teaching, I have been engaged in vocation ministry, retreat house ministry and, presently, in pastoral care with our retired sisters. I love my ministry with the sick and the elderly. These sisters are my family.

In 1985 I celebrated my silver jubilee, that is, 25 years since the first profession of vows. It was a time of great peace and joy for me. My parents were both deceased but my brothers celebrated with me and, of course, the entire community. I can still see us walking into the back of church and having sisters, family and friends turn to greet us, applauding. I felt God's love just pouring into my heart. It was also the golden jubilee of a dear friend of mine, Sister Yvonne Garrity. The celebration was even more special because we were sharing it.

I think that one of the most valuable gifts of community has been the close friendships I have made. Sister Joanne Becker and I have adopted one another as sisters, and have shared our lives and our families with each other for the past 30 years. There are so many others I have journeyed with these past years – fellow teachers, parish families – and all have enriched my life in Holy Cross.

I thank God for God's call to me. Exercising that all-important wishbone, I pray that many others will hear the call of God to service in the church. It is a life worth living.