Sixty plus years and counting! These have been years of blessings in abundance.
On September 7, 1956, I entered Marywood with the intention of only staying 10 days, during which I would prove to God that I did not have a vocation to religious life and could still enter Mercy Central School of Nursing on time. Those 10 days have now extended to 60 plus years and counting! These have been years of blessings in abundance.
How else might I have enjoyed educational experiences at Aquinas College, Ole Miss, University of Oklahoma, Fordham, and Washington Theological Union? Where else could I have walked with so many remarkable women with lives dedicated to others?
There have been ministry challenges and opportunities at St. John’s, Essexville; Aquinas College; St. Rose of Lima in Gaithersburg, Maryland; in Congregational leadership; as Justice Co-Promoter; and 13 wonderful years at GRTV interviewing non-profit organizations.
Who would have thought that a kid from Hannah would visit Rome and Peru twice, tour the Lands of Dominic, follow the paths of John and Paul in Greece and Turkey or walk the steps of Jesus in Israel? I thank God’s unconditional love for providing parents, siblings, extended family, and so many enriching friendships that contribute to my growth and development as God’s beloved servant.
Sr. Barbara Hansen hosted City Connection for eight years as part of her community outreach ministry, including during the first eight years of Mayor George Heartwell’s tenure. Sr. Barbara was present for GRTV’s swan song farewell to Mayor Heartwell in December 2015.
Sister Barbara Hansen and Sister Mary Navarre talk about the history of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids with WGVU’s Shelley Irwin.