Site of Julienne High School

Stories from Julienne Alumna
 

Reflection Site #2: Sister Dorothy Receives Her Calling
(You can begin by reading the reflection about Julienne HS located on the Pilgrimage Guide or by listening to the audio recordings of Julienne alumna.) 

Reflection: Dot (as Dorothy was known by her friends and family) attended Dayton's Julienne High School, which offered many activities. The Mission Club encouraged letter-writing to children orphaned in foreign lands and raising money to support them. Mission areas included Africa, South America, and Asia. Clergy and laypeople from religious communities in North America and Europe spent time there teaching Bible studies, English, and other subjects. They often built schools and churches, worked in hospitals, and generally tried to improve the lives of those living in poverty.

When Dot was sixteen, she listened closely to a Sister from a mission in China who spoke at Julienne High School about the rewards of her work and life. Dot and her best friend Joan were enthralled. For an adventure-loving teenage girl in the 1940s raised on a small farm, mission work sounded like a suitable and exotic career. She would travel to faraway places and work in a helping profession, like teaching or nursing.

Shortly afterwards, Joan took Dot aside and said. "I've decided to become a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur. Once I’ve professed vows, I'll teach in the United States and then go to a mission post." Dot quickly replied: "You don't think you are going to leave me behind? I'm going with you. I can finish high school in the convent. I am sure my parents will agree."

Becoming a sister wasn't an easy vocation choice. The girls would follow a rigorous seven-years of studies and formation. Yet, they were determined. Joan and Dot saw the Sisters as role models who enjoyed life in the community as well as their work attending to the needs of others. At the top of her application, Dorothy wrote in bold letters: "I want to work in China — those people need us!"

Dot's sister Maggie put it this way: “Dot seemed to know her mind. Despite her full social life and love of excitement, she always wanted to help people who were poor, and to serve the Lord. She also had a deep sense of injustice from an early age.”

Call to Prayer: Close your eyes, and imagine yourself here at Julienne High School.  Imagine the school building and grounds - see the trees and greenery, feel the breezes and hear the sounds of the birds and voices of the girls. Imagine their times together praying in chapel and assemblies, and the many Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur who served as their teachers and guided them in trusting their good God.  

PAUSE… 

Picture the 1940s when Dot and her friends were students.  Imagine their conversations about their future as they consider their hopes for careers, college, travels, possibilities of marriage and religious life,   PAUSE…
Also think back to your own high school and favorite memories. The buildings, classes, sports games, special events, time with friends.  What classes or teachers most inspired you? How did you spend your time?  What were your hopes and prayers then? 

PAUSE… 

Take a moment to be thankful for how your path has unfolded and God has cared for you. What hopes might you still be called to live out? Jot down your thoughts and blessings in a journal or share memories with your group. 

Beatitude: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Pope Francis: A true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor (LS # 49 )

Sister Dorothy: We can’t talk about the poor. We must be poor with the poor and then there is no doubt how to act. 

Together we pray: 
Sister Dorothy and all martyrs, pray for our courage to respond to the needs of our day and time. May we bear Christ’s mercy to all.