Sister Barbara Giehl made her profession of temporary vows on Saturday, September 10, at the Mercy Center chapel in Rochester, New York. Sister Eileen Campbell, director of New Membership, welcomed all those gathered—the many sisters and associates from the Mercy family and Barbara’s family and friends. Barbara is director of mission integration, hospitality and volunteers at Mercy by the Sea Retreat and Conference Center in Madison, Connecticut.
The celebration was marked by an exuberant spirit, a reflection of Barbara’s joy in taking these vows. Sister Eileen noted, “Barbara has found a deepening desire to respond with a wholehearted yes.”
Barbara reflected her joy: “I’ve been on this incredibly unpredictable journey in Mercy for most of my life. As life unfolded, the path I thought was mine, was no longer, and I found myself heading in a totally new direction. At times, I couldn’t explain it. … Yet, I knew I had to follow it, and it led me to professing my first vows as a Sister of Mercy of the Americas. Last Saturday, with the help of my loving God and Catherine McAuley, I stood before my sisters, my family and my friends, with a heart overflowing with warmth and gratitude for all that has been, all that is, and all that is still to be.”
Watch Sister Barb’s Vow Ceremony below: