SHIRLEY GRIFFITH: Sister Victoria Marie came to St. Cecila’s after completing a study program in civil engineering.

SISTER VICTORIA MARIE: “So it was a big shift in my life to go from utility to relationship, from what am I going to do? To who am I going to be for the Lord?”

SHIRLEY GRIFFITH: A religious worker does not spend all day at work or in prayer. Sister Kelly was surprised by how much time she has to simply enjoy life.

SISTER KELLY EDMUNDS: “Just to be outside and to enjoy the beauty of...the beauty of the world and creation. And so we play a lot of sport, we go for walks, we just enjoy each other’s company outdoors.”

SHIRLEY GRIFFITH: Yet the women do spend a lot of time at religious services, in the classroom and doing work. Sister Victoria admits it can be very busy.

SISTER VICTORIA MARIE: “For a couple weeks after I entered I thought, I just want to lay on the couch for the day, and I don’t think they do that here, you know?”

SHIRLEY GRIFFITH: Sister Kelly does not believe her spirituality is something unusual. She believes the Catholic Church is in a period of renewal.

SISTER KELLY EDMUNDS: “It’s a really great…a springtime for the Church, I suppose. And there’s a lot of hope and a lot of life.”

SHIRLEY GRIFFITH: The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia are active in Australia and across the United States. They teach more than thirteen thousand students at more than thirty schools. I’m Shirley Griffith.