Sister Mary Vincent Kowalewski Since I was a very little girl I have always had in the back of my mind that I wanted to be a religious. At my First Communion, I asked for the grace to be a Sister when I grew up. Sr. Salesiana, my 8 th grade teacher, said that God may be calling any of us and that we should ask Jesus if it is his will that we should be a religious. Every night I said that prayer.

When I worked at DuPont's I met a young man who told me that he was going to join the Oblates that September. He told me that he thought I had a vocation. After he entered, he wrote about the Oblate Sisters who lived in a Villa. He told me that they need Sisters and that I should go visit them. I was not in any hurry to do so.

In January, my friend was received into the Oblate Novitiate and he invited me to come. Friends drove me and at the reception, he introduced me to Sr. Jane Stanislaus and to Mother Bertha Gonzaga. Mother invited me to come see the convent

When I saw the Villa, I realized that it was very poor. Mother took me through the convent and over to the kindergarten. I had always felt that I was being called to work with little children and felt a great attraction to that apostolate.

After my ten minute visit, I told Mother that I would write to her. Mother Bertha Gonzaga did not wait for this and wrote to ask me to run off kindergarten papers for them. I did it and sent them on to them. Mother then invited me for a weekend visit.

I took a train down and the Sisters picked me up. I made a short visit to the Sisters' Chapel. On leaving the Chapel I asked Mother to allow me to enter the Sisters. I surprised even myself with the request. Mother, whose English was limited, did not understand my sudden request. One of the Sisters translated for her. The following day, we set the date for May 1 st . I had only known the Sisters for a month.

My family knew nothing of this, since I had not intended it myself. My parents were elated. My family has always supported my vocation and backed the Sisters. My parents, when they met the Sisters, were impressed by their warmth and hospitality.

I had no difficulty giving everything away and saying good-bye. I never thought of turning back.

I am the sixth child of ten. My parents' fifth child, Francis, was born on February 19 th with many medical problems. He was baptized and died the same day. He was truly a Depression baby. My mother was told to not have any more children. I was born thirteen months later and was very healthy. My parents met the Oblate Sisters on Francis's birthday and I always felt that he was a big part of my becoming an Oblate Sister. I am grateful to him.

When my family drove me here on May 1 st , my brother Vincent drove. My father said that it was one of the happiest days of his life. My family has forever been tied to the Salesian family since that day. My two brothers, Vincent and John, entered the Oblate Fathers and my sister, Theda, was later to go into the Visitation monastery of Wilmington.

My parents never spoke about religious vocations except one brief suggestion by my mother. Our family was simple but very giving. We were not wealthy but constantly served the community and the parish. My mother attended Mass daily, as eventually did my father. My father helped many poor people to get back on their feet. We learned generosity and self-forgetfulness from my parents.

My youngest sister, Chrissy, had Downs Syndrome. Our family was dedicated to her care. We learned how to give of ourselves that way. Chrissy, in her simplicity, taught us a lot.

I have never regretted becoming an Oblate Sister. I have had hard days. Who hasn't? I thank God that he chose me to be an Oblate Sister. I have found my greatest happiness in doing whatever I am asked and giving of myself. I am very close to the Holy Family and to Saint Leonie Aviat. I have felt her presence throughout my life. I believe that God has gifted me for working with little children. I also enjoy being around the elderly. My vocation is to give of myself.

Praying for others is part of my ministry. I pray for our Sisters, for our friends, those who helped us in the beginning, for our students and our families. I pray for the living and deceased. This is my vocation and what God is asking of me.