Sister Michele Elizabeth Socorso Growing up I had the good fortune to go to both a Catholic elementary and Catholic high school. The first time I heard someone suggest the thought of being a Sister was in elementary school when our pastor visited the classroom and in passing asked how many were going to be priests and sisters. I raised my hand each time because it was something good but being young I really gave no further thought to it.

In my senior year of high school I seriously began to think of being a Sister. During Lent the Stations of the Cross were held in the parish church after school. One Friday, I attended the Stations. While waiting for them to begin my attention was drawn to a family sitting about 2 pews ahead. They seemed to be a happy family but suddenly deep in my heart I felt that the married state of life was beautiful, but I wanted to give my love and my life to God. At that moment I knew I really wanted to be a Sister. I remember it took a lot of courage to tell my parents. One evening I kind of hung around and my father said, "Something is on your mind. What is it?" And at that moment I told them they were supportive although later I found out that when I actually left, for 2 weeks my mother could not hold back her tears when she thought of me.

Looking back over my childhood years, I think when our pastor asked "Who was going to be a Sister?" it put the thought in my mind that it was something possible. My parents were faithful in practicing their religion, not only going to Church but having a crucifix in our bedrooms, saying the prayer before meals and using holy water. Unconsciously these little devotions reminded me that God's presence and help were always near.

In grade school I was attracted to the Sisters who taught us. At the end of my high school days I went to visit one of them. I told her of my desire to be a Sister. She made arrangements for me to go to their Motherhouse in Pennsylvania along with another young girl who was also interested. On the prearranged day we boarded a bus that took us to Pennsylvania. Friends of the Sisters picked us up at the bus station and drove us to the Motherhouse. I remember being greeted by one of the Sisters and then ushered into a large parlor to wait for the Sister who would be interviewing us. I was the first one called into her office. I remember being asked several questions and then told to go wait in the parlor. The Sister was very business like and I remember feeling uncomfortable. After the girl with me had her interview we were immediately picked up by the family who brought us here and were taken to their house for dinner and we spent the night there. In the morning we were taken to the bus station for our return home. A few weeks later a letter came and my father read it telling me that I was accepted. I simply said I didn't want to go and that I would just get a job and work.

I got a job working in a bank for about a year and half. Meantime my mother belonged to the Oblate Mothers Guild. Days of Recollection were held for the Guild at the Oblate Sisters convent. My mother told me they could use some help serving the meal and washing dishes. I helped several different times. When I was there wiping tables and sweeping the floor, the kindness and friendliness of the sisters impressed me so much that I thought, "This is where I want to be". I told my desire to one of the Sisters. She thought it would be good to speak with my parents when they came to pick me up and also to set a date. About three months later I entered the Oblate Sister of St. Francis de Sales and each day I thank God for my vocation and my religious family.