Kate Shelly SSJ

 Name: S. Kate Shelly, SSJ

 Hometown: Quakertown, PA

 Entrance Date:  January 16, 1977

 First Profession Date:  August 19, 1979

Final Profession Date:  July 29, 1984

Present Ministry: Youth and Family Minister/Counselor

What attracted you to Religious Life?

I think I always wanted to feel closer to God.  As a graduate of public grade school and high school, I was never taught by anyone in religious life.  However, I used to see the sisters at Sunday Mass and often wondered what they did.  I remember going through a difficult time when I was in my early 20’s and stopping to talk to one of the sisters, who put me in touch with the vocation director.  Honestly, I began the pre-entrance program never knowing anything about religious life.  I was just searching.

What do you enjoy most about being a sister? 

The opportunity to live simply, pray often, and share experiences of God with others makes me happy.

What was one of your greatest challenges in learning to live Religious Life? 

As a strong introvert, my greatest challenge has been to honor my life experience and claim my voice when speaking to issues that affect the larger group.

Name a time when you really knew that you made a difference in someone’s life.

 As the Guidance Director of Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls, I was able to support the efforts of many inner-city young women trying to survive their current situations and succeed in school.  The truth is that anyone who comes to mind made more of a difference in my life than I probably did in hers, which is usually how God works, I think.

What kind of ministries have you done over the course of your Religious Life?  I have taught elementary and high school, worked as a crisis counselor in a children’s shelter, served as teacher and principal of two vocational schools, directed an inner-city high school guidance program, and currently serve as a youth and family minister in a local parish.

What is your favorite book/movie and why? 

My favorite movies are romantic comedies because they are light and entertaining and usually end happily.

What do you like to do in your free time? 

I enjoy playing the piano, tennis, reading, and needlework.

What do you like most about the Church? 

It’s a work in progress—just like me.