Meet Sister Conrad

All these experiences have been a wonderful preparation for the pinnacle of my career and perhaps the greatest joy

After 55 years of full time ministry, I can relate to Thomas Edison's quote, 'I never did a day's work in my life - it has all been fun.' There is great joy and satisfaction in teaching young men and women, not only math and science and English, even religion - but mostly, teaching about life - preparing a foundation for young people, encouraging them to dream dreams, to reach for the stars, so that if they don't quite hit a stellar constellation, they will still reach dizzying heights.

Students’ defining moments

Receiving students' notes on the impact on their lives and the inspiration they felt from our connection is a humbling experience. Several students at the university level in residence stated that the years spent in St. Joe's residence were 'the defining moment in their lives.'

Friend and mentor

This happiness in a career of teaching could not have come about if I had not been in community. I have to credit friend and mentor, Sister Janet Murray, for kick-starting my career. I was a very young teacher, shy, preferring the background. When I tried to back out of speaking to 100 or so parents and students, Sister Janet dressed me down as only Janet could - and sent me into the lion's den. The rest was history as they say.

Preparation for the pinnacle

Being a principal for 35 years in four different schools provided the opportunity to set the tone, the values in the school, to build a community of support for one another, staff and students, in our journey through life in faith surrounded by the love of God. And today, all these experiences have been a wonderful preparation for the pinnacle of my career and perhaps the greatest joy: building community with the seniors at Village Mosaic on Etobicoke's Lakeshore.

To read more Sisters' Stories, please see Meet A Sister