Sister's new digs boost ministry

For 52 years, Sister Jeanne Fielder, CND, lived in convents. For five decades, she has been teaching teenagers.

Last year, she went on sabbatical and realized she needed a change of scenery in order to successfully continue her ministry as a religion teacher at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School in Schenectady.

"I need time to be quiet by myself and be with the Lord," she decided. "The older I get, [the more] I need to balance the 'doing' with the 'being.'"

While many women religious change ministries after a sabbatical, Sister Jeanne changed her living arrangements instead.

Rather than moving back into a convent, she moved into the Kingsway Community, a 25-acre senior living complex in Schenectady that includes independent and assisted living facilities as well as a nursing home.

Above par

Sister Jeanne's new apartment overlooks a golf course.

"It's so quiet and peaceful," she said. "When I saw this apartment, I knew that this is what God wanted for me."

Prior to her sabbatical, she lived in Kenwood Convent with the Religious Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Albany. Living in Albany and teaching in Schenectady meant a 20- to 30-minute commute each morning and evening; now, her commute will be minutes.

"It will be wonderful when I'm teaching," Sister Jeanne enthused. "It will be much easier to get around."

Now that she is settled into her new apartment, Sister Jeanne is looking forward to returning to the classroom. Renewed by her sabbatical, her enthusiasm for teaching has returned.

Peace and strength

Living quietly on her own will help her maintain some of the peace she experienced while on sabbatical, she said.

"After 50 years of teaching, I was tired," she noted. "I can't wait to get back in the classroom. I've got this energy now. I want to try new things."

The transition from convent to senior apartment was a smooth one; Sister Jeanne credits the staff of Kingsway Community for making the move a positive experience.

"They are such nice people," she said. "They are genuinely interested in each person."

Nancy Adalian-Fedele, director of independent living at Kingsway Community, said the staff there tries to help all of its residents have a smooth transition into the facility.

"When someone makes a life change, it is our responsibility to do whatever we can to make the transition easier," Mrs. Adalian-Fedele explained.

Mrs. Adalian-Fedele said the Kingsway Community is excited to have Sister Jeanne as a resident: "She has so much energy."

Partnering

Sister Jeanne's presence at Kingsway has already led to some collaborative projects between residents and ND-BG students. The school abuts part of the Kingsway campus; the Kingsway Community is hoping that some students will choose to do service hours at the facility.

Sister Jeanne put the school's campus ministry department in touch with Kingsway's activities department. One of the first activities planned is a journaling project between students and seniors.

"I'm glad for our kids," Sister Jeanne said. "Intergenerational relationships are important."

(07/31/08) [[In-content Ad]]