Sister Stories

Sister Phyllis Gill

Vocation Director  |  Aberdeen, South Dakota

I grew up on a farm in Western South Dakota , the middle of five children. When I was in tenth grade and had to stay in town because of the snow, my friend and I decided to go to Wednesday night rosary during Lent. It was one of those times saying the rosary that I decided that I wanted to be a sister.  I attended public schools, dated and lived a rather normal life, but the idea stayed with me.  After high school, my aunt in Aberdeen heard I wanted to be a sister so she said that I wasn’t going anywhere until I visited Presentation Heights where she knew a lot of sisters.  She took me there and it just felt right, so I applied and joined.

For me, there are three reasons for joining a religious order:

1.  Ministry – being part of something bigger than anything I can do on my own. I do my own little piece of work with the hurting and the poor, but I am part of something much bigger.

2.  Community – This overlaps with what I just said.  The community is a support - I always know I am not alone.  I have wonderful friendships.  We pray and play together, challenge each other, and support one another.

3.  We also have wonderful opportunities and encouragement for growth in prayer and spirituality – attending workshops, making retreats, etc.  Daily prayer builds my relationship with God and is what gives me strength to go out and minister wherever we think we are needed. 

All of our ministries have been very meaningful to me. I feel privileged to have had all the opportunities I have had for education and for spiritual growth.  It is a great life in every way.

< Back to Sister Stories