Meet Sister Joanne Vasa, D.C.

“What’s a farm girl like you doing in the inner-city, first in St. Louis and now in Austin?”  I have often asked myself that question as I reflect upon my story of becoming a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.  It is the story of a surprising journey that continues to unfold even after 27 years in this life. 

I was born in a small farming community in rural Nebraska, the fourth of seven children.  Working together on the family farm formed the early experiences of my life.  Even as a young child, I realized that my family highly valued the Catholic faith and the concrete expression of that faith in service to others.  From this background I was drawn to a career in teaching, specifically teaching special education.  I believed this population to be the most in need and I had this strong sense that no matter what else, my life needed to be about assisting those whom others might not want to serve.  

In my high school years I had considered becoming a sister, but I resolved the issue by deciding that my role was to be that of a layperson working within the church.  As I was completing my degree at a local community college, I had this nagging sense that my life needed to be somehow “different than” marriage and raising a farm family in Nebraska; I just did not know what the difference would be! 

By this time one of my brothers had entered the seminary, and in dialogue with him and a close fried of his I was introduced to the Daughters of Charity.  Something moved within me when I met the Daughters.  I had a strong attraction to their simple lifestyle and the sense that I could truly be myself with this group of dedicated women.  Little did I know that I would also be stretched beyond my imagining.  After a year of soul searching and listening, I knew that I either needed to take a risk, or forget the idea completely.  I have never regretted the risk or the adventures that have followed. 

What still keeps me going today is what attracted me in the first place:  a desire to serve, a place to share God’s action in my life, and the challenge of going beyond where I’m comfortable.  Since joining in 1975, I have met Daughters of Charity from around the world who share the vision of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac.  I have discovered a gift of listening to the poor and marginalized in a variety of ministries, and have come to cherish the way they reveal God’s presence to me.  I found something “different” and in the process fulfilled the dream that God had planted in my heart in the Nebraska soil so long ago.  What does God’s dream for you look like?

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