Sister Rosemarie Sommers, MSC Vocation Journey

I often say that I was born to be a Missionary of the Sacred Heart. My parents, sisters and brother, niece and several nephews, and many uncles, aunts, and cousins were taught by our MSC Sisters at our schools in Nazareth, Coplay, Northampton, and Allentown. I grew up in Nazareth and my home parish of Holy Family was staffed by the MSC priests. My uncle, Fr. Frank Timar (known affectionately as “Uncle Frankie”) entered the MSC’s and was ordained in Rome in 1958. He was 15 years older than me (I was the oldest grandchild) and more like a “big brother” than an uncle. Our MSC Sisters taught me all through grade school. When I was in second grade our teacher was Sr. Francine, MSC who was the “Fun Nun.” I decided at that young age that I wanted to be a Sister and I wanted to be a teacher of God’s “little ones” like Sr. Francine.

I entered the MSC Novitiate in Reading in 1965. In May of 1966 my Dad died at the age of 39. I am the oldest of 5 children, my youngest sister was in first grade. The Sisters told my Mom that she probably wants me to come home to help my family until my younger siblings were older. My Mom told the Sisters that she could not do that because my Dad was so very proud that I was going to be a Sister and that they would be all right. I never knew that happened until many years later when our novice director Sr. Teresita told me that story.

I made my First Profession of Vows on August 22, 1968 at our Motherhouse in Reading. I had the joy of celebrating my Final Profession of Vows on August 26, 1973 in my home parish of Holy Family, Nazareth, with my uncle Fr. Timar presiding. My dream of being in education was fulfilled the first 17 years of my religious life when I was assigned to teach and eventually to be a principal in several schools in the Dioceses of Allentown and Philadelphia. I have so many happy memories of that time in school and I am especially grateful that some of my students have stayed in touch through the years. Meeting with them as adults so committed to their families and their communities and sharing memories with them gives me tremendous joy and I am so proud of them!

It turned out that my plan to teach my whole religious life was not God’s plan. I spent 25 years in service to my religious community as Formation Director and in Province Leadership. I also had the opportunity to learn about the Care Through Touch ministry and offer massage therapy to the Sisters and Residents at Sacred Heart Villa, our former Motherhouse that we converted to a personal care home. I believe that our elders, the sick, and the dying need that caring touch more than anybody and I was blessed during those years to offer it to them. When I completed my time in province leadership I began a part-time ministry here in my home parish of Holy Family and in our parish school where our Sisters taught me so many years ago. I feel that I have come full circle now that I have returned to my first love – teaching.

When I told my Mom that I wanted to be a Sister she said to me: “Oh, Rosie, I don’t think you will be happy as a Sister. You love to dance (especially polkas) and I don’t think the Sisters dance. Well, after 58 years as an MSC Sister I can safely say I have not stopped dancing!

Photos, left to right: Rosie in 2nd grade; Rosie with her Uncle Frank Timar, MSC; Sr. Rosie today