MEET A SISTER

Meet Sister Margaret Shannon, A Sister of St. Joseph of Peterborough
A Life in Retrospect

On February 2nd, the coldest day of that year, Ennismore Ontario welcomed me as a brand new citizen. I enjoyed the first five years of my life as a happy little girl on our farm when, as a family, we moved to Buffalo, N.Y. For me, this was a life upheaval that all but spelled destruction; leaving the quiet and peace of nature at its best and being set down in the rush, the noise, the clang of a bustling big city. On the heels of this came the next disaster. I was enrolled in a school that housed hundreds of city 'kids' all pursuing an education. Lost in the long halls, alarmed by bells, taught by other-worldly (I thought) teachers who turned out to be Sisters, I withdrew inside and shut down. Each year I was moved to the next grade (I think my desk was needed.) The highlight of each day was dismissal and home to safety.

I survived six years and a half on automation. In mid January of Grade seven year, we returned to the farm. God was on my side now. I was back to school the very next day with a teacher who dared to presume some potential in spite of my report card. I became a student overnight and the following year, passed with honours into high school. Had this little rebel been transformed? The Ennismore Continuation High School saw me through the first three years and I completed Grades 12 and 13 at St. Joseph's Academy, Lindsay.

For a few years air waves echoed sounds of a 'call', I was less than enthusiastic and told God so. The echoes grew louder. The following September, I arrived at Mount St. Joseph with a firm intent of staying for THREE weeks only.

Having completed my Canonical year, I attended Teachers College and began a long and wonderful teaching career. A few years in elementary, then to OCE and I moved to High School where I believe I belonged. I received a B.A. at Ottawa University and Masters in Theology at St. Michael's College, Vermont.

For a number of years, I served as Principal of the High School, St. Andrews West, Ontario, then to St. Peter's High School , Peterborough and finally a lengthy time at St. Pius X High School in Ottawa.

I retired from teaching in 1980 and took a Sabbatical in Denver, Colorado focusing on Spiritual Direction and Directed Retreats. After this gracious year, I was asked to co-ordinate Villa St. Joseph Retreat Centre, Cobourg where I took off my shoes for twelve years...this was Holy Ground. After a partially quiet year, I became involved in the Spirituality Centre at Mount St. Joseph and retired after ten years.

Now I am happily involved at Mount St. Joseph with ample time to pray, to read, to play, to prepare...for the Next Step.

...and the THREE weeks are not up yet...

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