This is my story;  this is my song ...   by Sister Theresa Araba Fameyeh

Throughout my life, I have seen myself as a single individual who has been gently carried in the caring arms of God. God has continually revealed his love for me through events and through people who come to my assistance. God has been so generous to me, gifting me with many talents and opportunities.

It is said, "To whom more is given, more is demanded." I believe that God is making demands on me at this stage of my life. He seems to be asking me to give an accounting for what has been entrusted to me, that is, making myself available to many people so they can benefit from the gifts God has given me. After running away from God's call like Jonah, I now join the hymnist singing, "I've come to you once more, my God, no longer will I roam, for I have sought the worldwide through and never found a home."

I was born the only child of Benjamin K. Fameyeh and Rebecca Esi Eshun on May 7, 1968. Although their only child together, I have 23 siblings. My father has 15 other children and my mother eight. I have grown up believing that I am "a blessing, a moving force, and an instrument of peace and love, a real gift to my family." Aside from my 23 siblings, as an African and as a Ghanaian, I have a very large extended family. I believe the influence of this great number of family members has helped me to be able to relate well to any person I come in contact with.

I became a convert to Catholicism as an adult. My parents are Methodist and Anglican, but they sent me to Catholic schools for my education. I received my initial education at Catholic Primary School and also attended Saint Joseph's Catholic Middle School.
	Sister Theresa Araba Fameyeh and Candidate Catherine Before prepare an evening meal.

During my early years, I was drawn to the Catholic faith and although my parents are Protestant, I loved attending Mass. This gift of faith was strengthened during college where I worshipped as a Catholic, taking part in all the services except the reception of the Holy Eucharist.

At the end of my middle school education, I chose to enter Holy Child Teacher Training College to pursue a four-year teacher education degree rather than the seven-year secondary education program. This was a great challenge for me because my parents wanted me to go through the secondary education program to be trained as either a medical doctor or a lawyer.

"Keep busy and hope in the Lord" has always been my motto. Even amid all the opposing views from family members, I was able to work hard with the Lord as my focus. Because of this, I was able to accomplish in four years what could have taken me 10 years to achieve. While in college I dreamed of becoming either a doctor or a professor of mathematics. An intrinsic motivation propelled me to study privately and to take advance-level examinations to qualify me for further education. It was not easy, but armed with my motto and trust in God, I was able to succeed and now hold a degree in mathematics education. This was a dream come true through my hard work, prayer and trust. My teachers and friends affectionately call me "Take Me Do."

 
I became aware of my vocation to the religious life when I started teaching the children and youth of Christ the King Parish in Effiakuma on Sunday evenings and in the summer. I then contacted the Sisters of Holy Child Jesus Society who were my friends. I participated in their catechism classes, was baptized and received my first Holy Communion. I was confirmed the following year. Receiving the sacraments strengthened my faith and formed a foundation for a life of prayer.

During my initial years as a baptized Catholic, I deepened my relationship with the Holy Child sisters and was later invited to live with them in their Takoradi community. I stayed with these sisters in Takoradi for more than a year and a half without any formal program. At the end of my stay, I decided not to join this particular group, but with the encouragement of my mentor I searched for another group of religious women to join.

Sister Theresa fills bottles of drinking water for the sisters.

What led me to Holy Cross? I had no knowledge of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, except that I admired two Holy Cross sisters. I chose this Congregation because of my great respect for the cross. My mentor introduced me to the sisters and I kept paying random visits until I was invited to come to a "Come and See" program. This led to some prayerful and serious interactions that finally resulted in my entering the candidacy program in November 2002.

I believe there is a lot I have to offer to God's people since much has been entrusted to me. As a Sister of the Holy Cross, I hope to share these gifts with the people of God to whom I will minister.