SisterAquinas Weber

When I pray Psalm 139, I am inspired by the words: “I give you thanks for this wondrous life; all your works are wonderful.”

For 78 years I have been blessed with this wondrous life to serve God as a Grand Rapids Dominican Sister. It is a life of many blessings and graces.

I grew up on a farm in Hannah/Kingsley, MI, in a family of 11 children — 9 boys and 2 girls — under the love and care of my parents, Jacob and Anna Weber. It was a life of many joys and sorrows accompanied often by challenges but supported by a deep faith. I thank God for my parents who sacrificed much to provide us with a good Christian life.

I have had many opportunities for study and travel, made possible because of my vowed life as a Grand Rapids Dominican. I was able to function in various ministries which I never dreamed I would be able to do. These ranged from being Prioress of the congregation, helping to revitalize a neighborhood in serious decline (Eastown), building and rebuilding the Emeritus Program at Aquinas College for older Americans, directing 75 Sisters who lived at the House of Studies while studying at Aquinas College, and leading the Aquinas College Advancement Office for three years, where I still work.

Prior to all of the above, I taught school for 25 years in the dioceses of Grand Rapids, Saginaw, and Detroit. With these various ministries came the gift of grace to respond to each in an appropriate manner. It’s a wondrous life.