You must have javascript enabled to view this website. Please change your browser preferences to enable javascript, and reload this page.
Here are some notes from an interview with Sister Rebecca Ann Mathauer. You are to write a 100-word caption for the photo here. The photo and your caption will appear in a Sunday newspaper feature, entitled "The People We Should Know."
Sister Rebecca Ann Mathauer entered the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand, Indiana, in August 1999 from Indianapolis, Indiana. She received a bachelor's degree in pastoral ministry from Marian College in May 1999. She became a novice on April 30, 2000.
My story begins about eight years ago when I was a high school sophomore going through preparation for the sacrament of confirmation. I was sitting in class one night as we discussed the role of priests, brothers and sisters in parish ministry. There was a little nudge in the back of my mind saying something about becoming a nun. I thought to myself, "No way! I'll never become a nun; maybe a lay minister, but never a nun!" I pushed the thought even further away as I finished high school and started college.
When I began my first year of college I got involved in a mentoring program that provided outreach to young people in center-city Indianapolis. I really loved what I was doing for the young people and for the church. It was through working with the Catholic school system in Indianapolis that I became involved in parish ministry. As a college intern I worked at many different parishes, and I really came to enjoy what I was doing in parish ministry and, in particular, with kids.
While I was a volunteer in youth ministry as well as a full-time college student, I was struggling academically and trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. When I began doing youth ministry work I was challenged to grow as a student and to strengthen my relationship with God. As I grew up and grew closer to God, I decided that I wanted to dedicate my life to serving youth and young adults in the church. But, that was not enough; there was still something missing. I wanted to give of myself completely.
In January 1996, I began working at St. Philip Neri, a center-city parish located on the near east side of Indianapolis. It was in working for this parish that I got my first taste of what being a nun, a Benedictine, was all about. Sister Kathleen, who was the youth minister, introduced me to her community in Beech Grove, and in November of that year I made my first visit there. There was something about their lifestyle that struck me, but I could not figure out what it was at the time. Little did I know, though, that the experience I had that weekend would change my life forever.
Around the same time, I received a package from Sister Rose Mary Rexing, then vocation director, inviting me to come to Ferdinand for a visit. I came for the January weekend, and for the first time I felt whole and complete. I knew where I was being called and who I was being called to be. As I sat in prayer that evening, I looked up at the cross and could see Christ taking his hand and motioning me forward. I felt God taking me by the hand as I walked into the chapel that Saturday evening and asking me to walk with him as he led me "home."
I still had two years of school left, though. Two years seemed like forever, but the more time went on, the better I was able to get to know the community and the better the community was able to get to know me. In the summer of 1997, I met Sr. Anita Louise and began a deeper process of discernment with her and the community. As I walked, talked and journeyed with Sr. Anita Louise and the community I began to realize the endless possibilities of what God could have waiting in store for me as a Ferdinand Benedictine. I realized that in giving my life to God, I would find the true happiness and the peacefulness for which I had always longed.
Over the course of the last two years as I finished college, I continued to grow in my love for God and my love for the community. I continued to work in volunteer youth ministry. Each time I looked into the eyes of one of my young people I could see the face of God more and more. In their voices each time they said thank you, each time they smiled at me, I could hear God telling me "all in good time." A few months ago the time finally came, and I looked into the eyes of those children and said goodbye. They looked back at me, and in their eyes I saw God once again taking me by the hand telling me that it is finally time to come "home."
I entered this community in August 1999 and was able to come "home" for good. In the last several months, I have realized what a gift it is to be a part of something so life-giving and so strong. I have come to love this community wholeheartedly. It is within the community that God is giving me so many opportunities to become all I dream to become. I have also had my share of struggles since I have been here, but it is in those times of struggling that God and the community holds me up and supports me the most. Giving my life to God as a Ferdinand Benedictine is giving me the life, love and happiness I had been waiting for.
