Mary Lou Shimshock, CSJ
Baden, PA
I am the second child born to Tom and Genevieve Shimshock, and sister to my older brother Tom. I was born on April 28,1951 in Mt. Pleasant, PA., a small town about 45 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.
In 1971, I graduated from Washington Hospital School of Nursing as a RN. My nursing career primarily involved working in the OR: in the hospital, free standing surgical center or in a surgeon's office. Many changes have taken place over the years in the medical field and I find that some of them are not to my way of thinking, morally, or ethically correct.
Somewhere in the mid 90's I knew that something was missing in my life. I felt an emptiness and longing for something more. It occurred to me that this longing was for a deeper relationship with God. This began my search and discernment into religious life.
I began meeting with a spiritual director who was a CSJ from Baden. Whenever I was there I would see such respect and gentleness in the way these women treated each other and their neighbors. It was time for me to find out more about the Srs. of St. Joseph of Baden, their mission and charism and why I felt a calling to this particular community.
In July 2002, I became a candidate, and on Sept. 8, 2003 I entered our novitiate. During my apostolic year I volunteered with our parish social minister. Coming from a background of abiding by rules and regulations at work as a RN in the OR and always doing, to just being able to be, was a humbling and gratifying experience.
I enjoy reading, and I love to walk outdoors for times of reflection as well as for exercise. I am grateful to have this opportunity to attend the Federation Novitiate with six other novices, and I am looking forward to this journey with hope and excitement.
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