Sister Veronica Ann Baxa — 50 years

BORN: Cuba, Kan.
ENTERED CONGREGATION: March 18, 1960

Prayer is and always has been an important part of my life.

Before I was born, my father prayed for a daughter and that she become a nun. When I was growing up our family would kneel in the kitchen after supper every night and pray the rosary. The rosary is still important in my prayer life.

The Sisters of St. Joseph taught Vacation School for two weeks every summer at St. Isadore’s Church in Cuba, Kan., and one of the sisters there encouraged me to go to the Apostolic School at the Nazareth Motherhouse in Concordia. I went there my four years of high school and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on Sept. 8, 1959. I became a Sister of St. Joseph on March 18, 1960.

My 50 years as a Sister of St Joseph have been grace-filled years for me. I was at Marymount College and worked in the laundry; then I worked at St. Joseph’s Children’s Home in Salina, Nazareth Motherhouse for 23 years and then Park Villa in Clyde. Presently I work at the Good Samaritan Society in Minneapolis, Kan. Being of service to God’s people is very rewarding.

Thank you, God, for my vocation as a Sister of St. Joseph of Concordia and for walking by my side during these past 50 years. I am grateful for my family, the sisters of my community and friends who have prayed for me, supported me and encouraged me. With great pride and joy I celebrate 50 years as a Sister of St. Joseph. God bless you all!