MY VOCATION STORY
Sr. Carmel Stancato, S.C.I.C.

In August of 1994 I had the privilege of celebrating my 50th jubilee with the other four sisters who were in my group in 1944. It was good to have one of my fellow celebrants with me that evening B Sr. Sadie Lunday who is presently missioned in Saint John, N.B.

My journey began many years ago when my parents instilled in us a faith which formed an integral part of our everyday living. My first introduction to the person of Christ came from my mother. Her daily life was steeped in total trust in Divine Providence and this was also evident in the life and behavior of my father. Early formation and appropriate response came early to us and was nurtured throughout our early years by the Sisters whom we were fortunate to have as our teachers at Sacred Heart School. A few of these were present at my jubilee celebration.
Church, rectory, school, convent and home formed our early formation campus. All people who were involved shared in the early formation of these young minds. The seed of a vocation was planted early in my life and began to spring forth during grade nine when Sister Jean Mulvaney (Mary-James so-called then) asked this incorrigible young lass if she ever considered becoming a sister. My verbal response was a quick NO, but my heart response was an excited YES. God doesn=t take NO for an answer so with much encouragement and support from all sides the call from God grew and developed into a ministry of love and service.

During all of this, I must mention, that all of my long-ago friends, formed an integral part of my formation. The many activities we shared brought us together most every day of our active lives. I recall with much love and gratitude some of these activities in which many of my friends were involved. I remember the church-cleaning sessions (twice a week), the Dramatic Club and the Choir, the Italian Language classes, Circolo Giovanile and other youth-oriented organizations, Italian picnics and bimonthly mountain climbing.

I recall with nostalgia and great joy many of these memories and can add even a few more incidents which provide a bond of love and devotion which have carried me along these many years. Long years ago little Joe Comparelli had a Paper Route. This probably earned him the great commission of one penny for every paper delivered. This was BIG MONEY for a little boy in short pants then. One sunny afternoon Joe came by the house and very surreptitiously handed me a big shiny penny. It was to be our childhood secret which even his mother could not share. I was QUEEN for a day.

All of my friends who bonded so closely with me in those early years of poverty, sharing and needing of each other, are responsible in some way for the path I followed for these wonderful fifty years. They supported me at the beginning of my journey and continue to support me now. Thanks for the memories B especially the memorable farewell party held on Commercial Drive B the farewell greeting at the CN Station on the evening of September 1, 1944. I especially want to thank those brave souls who challenged the security guards at the station that night and illegally crossed the forbidden area to reach the train station platform to present themselves at the train window where I was already seated. I was reminded that I traced the words, "THIS IS THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE" on the dusty window.

Thanks to my precious sisters and my dear brother John (who wore a tie for my 50th Jubilee) who, along with their spouses and my nieces and nephews, have worked hard in preparing this wonderful occasion for me. My family was always there for me and we are gifted with a bond of love and affection which is a foretaste of the love of God.

Last but not least, I treasure my family of the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception. They have been my largest family. They have accepted me for whom I am and have loved, nourished and supported me in every way all these years. I love them with my whole being.

What remains now is that I continue to love, serve and care during the years which our dear Lord sees fits to grant me in His service. The last six years of my ministry have been very special for me and I can say that they probably were the highlight of my ministry endeavors. The Native People with whom I lived and journeyed in Northern Saskatchewan taught me many beautiful things about life and living. I treasure this learning. I will miss them, but anticipate my return to Saint John where I am being called once more to take on another new ministry.

As I write, I am back in Vancouver, city of my birth. My present ministry of Pastoral Care in St. Vincent's Hospital is challenging and rewarding. My life as an elderly Sister continues to hold exciting challenges, more miracles to discover and more mysteries to admire.



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