Nov. 26, 2014

Sixth in a series of autobiographies from the 2014 religious jubilarians

I can't believe that 50 years have passed since I received the habit of the Sister of St. Joseph.  Jubilee is a time to reflect on how good God has been to me. 

Throughout my life, I have been touched by angels.

The first angels - my Mom and Dad, Anna and Adolf Hermann!  They were the best in the whole world. 

God gave me nine more family angels - my five marvelous brothers, and three delightful sisters. One of my sisters is also a Sister of St. Joseph, Sister Cecilia Marie Hermann. I have one more sister, Mary Jean who went to her heavenly reward as an infant. Family has always been very important to me and always will be.  I have lots and lots of nieces and nephews and they have added so much joy to my life.

My parents gifted me with 13 years of Catholic education at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School and Immaculate Heart Academy in Watertown.  Besides family it is one of the greatest gifts that they gave me. 

I truly believe that the gift of a Catholic education is one that lasts forever.  I am grateful to my Mom and Dad and to the Sisters of St. Joseph who taught me.

I also want to extend my gratitude to the missionaries of the Sacred Heart.  They were a major influence in my early years. I am grateful, as well, to the diocesan priests with whom I have privileged to work.

It has been a blessing for me to live with the Sisters of St. Joseph for 50 years.  They have provided me with valuable friendships and so many opportunities that I would never have had, if I had not been called to religious life. 

As the Christmas movie says, "It's a wonderful life!".

My ministry has been Catholic school education.  I am happy to pass on to our young people what was given to me.  In my opinion there is no finer way to practice the spiritual and corporal works of mercy and to serve the dear neighbor.

As a teacher I have been brought into contact with so many gifted people and learned from them. 

On the occasion of my jubilee, I thank God for His many graces and blessings and pray for all the angels who have touched my life

John Paul St. Marie and Jaidin Hicks, students at Seton Academy in Plattsburgh, are shown with their principal, St. Joseph Sister Mary Helen Hermann who is celebrating her 50th anniversary of religious life this year. Here, Sister Helen looks back on her life as a Sister of St. Joseph noting that her jubilee year “is a time to reflect on how good God has been to me.”