A Day in the Life...S. Monica Gundler

Where do you live and minister?
I currently live in Cincinnati, Ohio, with three other Sisters – Pat Malarkey, Mary Ellen Murphy and Peggy Rein. Our house is located near the Motherhouse and across the street from the College of Mount St. Joseph, where I used to minister and continue to do volunteer work.

Please give a brief description of your ministry.
I am the director of initial formation, which welcomes and talks with women who are entering the Sisters of Charity. I also am involved in young adult ministry and work with the College on the mission integration committee.

How long have you been in this ministry?
This is my third year.

When does your day begin, and what is your morning ritual?
My day usually begins at 6 a.m. I have time for quiet prayer in my room. I try to place myself in God’s presence and prepare for the day. I also pray for people and intentions. I get ready and try to get to Mass at the Motherhouse by 8 a.m.

Please describe what this day in your ministry involved.

Today I am back in the office after a wonderful service trip to New Orleans, La. It was a week-long trip with 19 young people and 11 Sisters from our Sisters of Charity Federation. I am playing catch-up with e-mail, phone calls and visits. Working at the Motherhouse I often have Sisters stop by for a chat, and on this particular day a number of Sisters visit. I hear from the College confirming a vocation talk for the evening. I return a phone call to our SC vocation director about a woman who is interested in the Congregation. I also schedule meetings at the College for follow-up on a mission brochure currently in production, and then e-mail with Sisters and students from our recent service trip.

I have dinner at the College with those attending my talk. About 14 students attended as I spoke about my life as a Sister of Charity and told my story of becoming a Sister. It was fun to visit with the students I used to see as director of campus ministry at the College, as well as others from services trips, and then new faces.

After the vocation talk I take some goodies home for the Sisters I live with and we chat in the living room over tea and dessert. That evening time is a chance for us to catch up with one another and hear about each other’s day. Oftentimes if we are home for dinner, we pray together afterwards.

Was this a typical day or out of the ordinary?
I don’t think I know what an ordinary day is these days. I think it’s Elizabeth Seton’s way of meeting your grace each day – waking up and seeing what the day brings.

How do you carry out the spirit of Elizabeth Seton in your daily ministry?
I try to be attentive to the present woman and to remember I will meet Christ in the people and events of the day, and I try to be open to that.

How did you pray today?
In addition to those already mentioned, before I go to bed I like to go over the day and pray in gratitude for the people who are important in my life, the people I met that day, and anything else that happened that I might want to offer to God before I go to sleep.

 

back to top