CALLED TO SERVE

SALLY LEYDA

I have known restlessness in my personal and professional life. This is combined with my deep-rooted sense that life is a wonderful adventure and each day is a chance to know a diversity of experiences. One of those incredible experiences includes becoming an affiliate with the Sisters of the Divine Savior in 2010 and using the time to deepen my prayer life and volunteer activities.

Over the last decade, my life was profoundly impacted by cancer, divorce and the death of my parents. Today I look at cancer as a gift, because it helped me refocus and choose my priorities. During the treatment, I also had the chance to listen to God’s call to do more. The surgery and following care never frightened me. I knew this was the will of God and that I was in His hands. Our parents had taught us that everything happened for a reason and I firmly believed that.

I contacted two religious congregations, one in New York and the other, the Sisters of the Divine Savior, was in Milwaukee. Sister Marion Etzel, SDS, a member of the Sisters of the Divine Savior’s New Membership Team, returned my call and visited me in Ithaca, New York. The visit went well and I felt an instant connection with Sister Marion. I decided to begin the process of entrance into the Sisters of the Divine Savior formation program.

Sister Marion pointed out that, during the 12 to 14-month affiliate program, I would meet with a spiritual guide, read and pray over materials presented to me by my sponsor sister, and do the preparation for entrance into the candidature.

During this affiliate year, I am praying more and trying to reach out through my volunteer activities. Every Wednesday, I volunteer at All Saints Church helping with computer work. I am also a sacristan, member of the choir, and part of the vocations and RCIA programs. I also volunteer at Catholic Charities twice a week. I love the charity and parish work. It is all so fulfilling. I also think it will help me in my future ministries as a Salvatorian Sister.

In August 2011, I hope to move to Milwaukee to begin life as a SDS candidate. I will enter more fully into the prayer, ministry and community living of the sisters. Perhaps my son, Alan, typifies the support I am receiving: “Mom, if this is what you want, go for it!”