Sister Stories

 

“Serve the sick and the poor” – Sr. Anita Bolton

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My name is Sister Anita Bolton and I am a member of the congregation of The Sisters of the Holy Redeemer. I was born in February l954 and I grew up in the farmland of Southern Lancaster County as a member of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Quarryville, PA. My father is of the Protestant faith (Presbyterian) and my mother is Catholic. I attended public schools (first grade through college) and participated in our parish’s CCD program. My sister and I grew up in Drumore Township, Lancaster County, and we spent many hours at my grandfather’s farm where my father worked as a dairy farmer. After my grandfather’s death, my father inherited the farm.

My journey as a sister began when I was twenty-eight years old. I graduated from Millersville University in l976 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Library Science. After graduation I worked as an information coordinator for a Vocational Resource Center located at Millersville. After seven years the resource center was being moved to Harrisburg, PA and I then applied for the same position in Harrisburg. When I was informed that the position was already filled, I read our college career newsletter, The Pipeline, for various job openings. I noticed the following small advertisement.

“Give a year of service as a Lay Volunteer with the Redeemer Ministry Corps and serve the sick and poor in Philadelphia.”

During my lunch break; I pondered the words of this advertisement as I walked around a small lake on the college campus. There was something in the words pulling at my heart: “to serve the sick and the poor”.

After a few weeks I decided to contact the director of the RMC program, Donna Forth, and to inquire about the program which was sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Redeemer. During the application process, I was living at home and helping my father, a dairy farmer, with the daily chores. Several times we talked when I was in the barn and the cows provided the background music! In August 1982 I drove to the Provincialate of the Sisters of the Holy Redeemer for a personal interview. Donna Forth was not available so I met Sr. Regina Heilman, CSR, who began the RMC program.

Thus my journey with the sisters began little by little. During my interview with Sr. Regina I did mention that there was a possibility of an inner call to religious life but I had never talked it over with anyone. In order to complete my application process, I needed to get a physical examination. At home I went to my family physician and during the physical I got two needles. Since my early childhood days, I have often fainted after getting needles and sure enough it happened again (when I was paying the bill). When I fainted I hit my head against the wall and had a minor cut. Because of this event, the doctor wouldn’t allow me to drive home by myself and I had to call home for a ride.

During our ride home, my father and I discussed my plans for volunteering with the sisters. My father is usually very quiet but he told me in a firm voice it would be better for me to find another job rather than to rush into a volunteer program. At first, I thought this is sign that I shouldn’t volunteer and I could decide not to go to Philadelphia. Despite my own insecurities and my parents concerns, I decided to become a RMC volunteer.

In September of 1982 I joined two other lay women for our very first year of the Redeemer Ministry Corps volunteer program. After a few months of homesickness, I began to feel right at home with the other volunteers and the sisters as well. I enjoyed my work at Redeemer Village where I assisted Frank Hamel in the office and also helped the residents on a one-to-one basis with transportation and physical needs.

At the end of this year, I felt drawn to stay but I also knew that I needed a job for the future. I found a position in the Rosemont College library at the end of my volunteer year. In dialog with Sr. Regina I decided to become an affiliate with the congregation as I began this new job. As an Affiliate I was considering vowed membership with the Sisters of the Holy Redeemer and I was learning more about religious life.

In September 1984, I entered as a Postulant with the Sisters of the Holy Redeemer. I feel that God invited me “through the back door” as an RMC volunteer before joining the congregation. I was attracted to the sisters’ hospitality, genuine spirit, simplicity, prayerfulness, and love for nature. In community life, I’ve experienced the joys and challenges of living together and the presence of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. With God’s graces and the support of our congregation, I professed my final vows in August l993 at the age of 39. My mother has a strong faith and I have felt her prayers along the way as well as my father’s quiet presence.

As I journeyed through my formation years, I’ve grown in self-knowledge and have a deeper appreciation for the gift of my vocation. I’ve had the opportunity of complete a Master’s program in Early Childhood Education at Chestnut Hill College and spend ten years as an educator at our two childcare centers. In 1997 I joined our Mission Service’s Team and have had the privilege to serve in Catholic Health Care at Holy Redeemer Hospital and St. Joseph’s Manor Nursing Home. There have been many blessings and challenges in this work.

Currently I am a member of our Vocation- Formation Team. I’ve met many wonderful people and have lots to learn as this new journey continues. My own call to religious life is deepened and nourished in this ministry.

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