A Dream Come True! - Holy Union's US Bicentennial Project
Called to Be...
Sr. Nancy Stiles moderates a fascinating discussion about a project that spans three countries, two continents, three generations, and multiple cultures. In this episode we hear directly from Sisters Shallotte Kum and Veronique Metiendjo from Cameroon, and Eugenia Mshana and Scholastica Mhea from Tanzania about their participation in the US Bicentennial Project, a long-time dream which became a reality in August 2025. Responding to the call from Holy Union's Collegial Assembly in 2023 for new orientations in all stages of formation, the Holy Union US Area created its Bicentennial...
info_outline
Holy Union's Bicentenary Jubilee Year, Part 1 - Reminiscing on Pilgrimages to Lecelles and Douai, France
Called to Be...
This month, Sister Alice Arsenault leads a discussion with Sisters Tess Horvath and Joan Guertin for the first of two sequential episodes on our Bicentenary Jubilee Year of 2026 which marks two hundred years since our congregation's founding in Douai, France by our founder, Jean Baptiste Debrabant. We will be reminiscing about pilgrimages made by several of our Sisters to significant sites in Lecelles and Douai, France where Fr. Debrabant was born and also where he gathered with the first group of women for religious instruction who became the foundation of our congregation. ...
info_outline
The God of Surprises Sends Us Forth
Called to Be...
This month's episode teeters on the brink of miraculous. Sisters Marilyn Gignac and Jane Newcomb, who spent many decades as missionaries in Cameroon, are reunited with a man, who was then a small boy, little Joseph Lukong, from the village of Kumbo where they ministered. That little boy is now Father Joseph Lukong, and he is ministering in a parish within driving distance of where these Sisters live today in New England! This astounding story is a testimony to the Good which comes from missionary work, and the global long-term impact of revealing God's love to those in...
info_outline
Sr. Cecilia Fukah Echo's International Academic Adventure
Called to Be...
This month, we had the pleasure of speaking with Sr. Cecilia Fukah Echo, SUSC, one of our Cameroonian Holy Union Sisters who is living here in the United States as she attends classes at Devine Word College in Epworth, IA. Sr. Fran Cavey learns about her experience growing up in Cameroon and her decision to become a Holy Union Sisters, as well as her remarkable academic adventure coming to America to futher her education and how she hopes to use it once she returns to Cameroon in a few years. Join us in praying for Sr. Cecilia as she continues to use her gifts to continue to reveal...
info_outline
"My Story" - Sr. Alice Arsenault, SUSC
Called to Be...
This month, Sr. Alice Arsenault shares the rich story of her vocation, ministries, and life as a woman religious for the last 65 years. Sr. Alice delivered her talk to a group of Holy Union Associates in Tauton, MA and discussed her family background and how she decided to "answer the phone" when God's call came! She also discussed her commitment to her vows during troubled times, the painful decision to close a school where she was Principal, and her election to work in Rome with Holy Union Sisters from around the world. Later, as Provincial of the Groton Province, she...
info_outline
Pope Leo XIV, Our First Pope From the United States
Called to Be...
As the sadness of Pope Francis' death fades, it has been replaced by the joy of a new Pope from the United States of America. And this month we share our thoughts on our new Pope, our hopes, our first impressions, and our reflections on what the future may hold given this new reality. Sister Nancy Stiles leads a discussion which includes Holy Union Associate, Tina Silvestro, and podcast producer, Ken Gustin. Then we open the discussion to include Sisters Christine Lacroix, and Fran Cavey as well as Fall River Associate, Nancy Dube and New York Associate, Leida Toro. We...
info_outline
Lighthouse School - A Guiding Light for Generations
Called to Be...
This month we explore the story of Lighthouse School, originally known as the Holy Union Special School. From its founding by Sr. Theodora Martel, SUSC (Sr. Gabrielle Lucie) in 1967 in the basement of the Holy Union Sisters' retirement home in Lowell, MA to its current incarnation serving 225 children and their families on their N. Chelmsford campus, Lighthouse has provided specialized services for students who struggled to fit within a traditional learning environment. Sr. Joan Guertin, SUSC is joined by Scott Bartis, CEO of Lighthouse School in N. Chelmsford, MA, and his Director...
info_outline
Jubilee Year 2025 - Pilgrims of Hope
Called to Be...
Are you one of many Catholics who have questions about the Jubilee Year of the Church (2025)? What is a Jubilee Year? Why is it significant? What is asked of us during this year? How can we participate in it? Well, in our April episode, Called to Be... 's producer, Ken Gustin, talks with Fr. Edmund Derosier and Sr. Joan Guertin to explore these and other questions. Fr. Derosier is a longtime friend of Holy Union and his former parish in Ayer / Shirley, MA has been a major source of support for Holy Union's schools in Cameroon, Africa. We're so grateful...
info_outline
Silence and Solitude as We Approach Lent
Called to Be...
As Lent approaches we're pleased to share with you this discussion among Sisters Fran Cavey, Joan Guertin, and Rita Theresa Goulet on the topic of Silence and Solitude. We invite you to sit back, close your eyes and be still as you listen to this insightful exchange. May it bring you some new ways to embrace silence and solitude, not just during Lent but as a part of your everyday spirituality and relationship with God. Note: Due to circumstance beyond our control we needed to slightly change the order in which our episodes were published (at the last minute) and so please...
info_outline
"My Story" - Sr. Alice Michael
Called to Be...
This month, Sr. Alice Michael shares the story of her vocation and eclectic ministries throughout the years as a Holy Union Sister with our Taunton Associates. Her very first assignment in New York City was a major adjustment after growing up on the family farm in Rhode Island. Again and again Sr. Alice placed her trust in God's plan for her, though she often didn't understand why she was being placed on this path or that one. Her ministries in New York placed her in a culturally rich environment, working with adults and children in a variety of roles, and ultimately...
info_outlineSister Nancy Stiles moderates a discussion with Sisters Alice Arsenault and Alice Michael on the essence of Easter and the Easter Season, specifically transformation and openness to new life. Jesus' sacrifice and mercy is on offer to all who are willing to accept it and follow Him in the way of this new way of living. Their discussion spans well known examples of biblical figures who accepted Christ's mercy and some who didn't, as well as our own personal transformations, or opportunities for it, every day. We pray you had a wonderful Easter as we move fully into the Easter season.