Sister Donna Lord (Sister Donna Joseph) Sixtieth Jubilee

Written on: April 22, 2021

Sister Donna remembers that when she was in first grade she raised her hand when sister asked, “How many girls think they will be nuns when they grow up?” It was many years later, as a scholarship student at Holy Angels Academy, that she fulfilled her dream and left her home, her parents and her three siblings to enter the Grey Nuns.  After several years of teaching in elementary school, she began as Director of Religious Education at St. Stephen’s Parish in Grand Island, New York during which time she also earned an MA from Fordham University in Religious Education.  While in that position, she often reached out to members of the parish who were suffering or experiencing grief. Her skills in listening and companioning lead her to pursue training as a Hospital Chaplain at Presbyterian-University of Pennsylvania Hospital. She spent many years at Kenmore Mercy Hospital and at Mercy Hospital in that position where she offered spiritual care to the sick and dying. Sister Donna is retired from her position as chaplain but continues companioning others as a spiritual director, helping them to see where God is present in their lives and deepen their relationship with God. She lives at Sacred Heart Center in Buffalo with her good friend, Sister Sheila Stone.

As I prepare to celebrate 60 years as a Grey Nun, I am grateful for the gift of good health, for every sister who has traveled this journey with me and for all the friends I have made along the way.  Community life has been a joy to me.  I am grateful for all those sisters with whom I have shared community life and especially for those who have been in small sharing groups with me. Thanks be to God for all the blessings of my life!

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This entry was posted in Our 2021 Jubilarians and tagged: blessings, Chaplain, community life, Director of Religious Education, elementary school, first grade, Fordham University, Friends, God, Grand Island NY, grateful, Holy Angels Academy, hospital chaplain, journey, joy, Kenmore Mercy Hospital, Mercy Hospital, Presbyterian-University of Pennsylvania Hospital, relationship, Sacred Heart Center Buffalo, spiritual care, spiritual director, St. Stephen's Parish, Teaching