Sister Helen Mick – on her 60th Jubilee
HOMETOWN: Tipton, Kan.
RECEIVED INTO CONGREGATION: Aug. 15, 1956
RELIGIOUS NAME: Sister Roberdetta
EDUCATION: Marymount College, Salina (bachelor’s degree); Kansas State University, Manhattan (master’s degree)
MISSIONS:
- 1958-1959 St. Joseph & St. Anne School, Chicago; teaching
- 1959-1963 Sacred Heart School, Aurora, Ill.; teaching
- 1963-1970 St. Joseph School, Monet, Mo.; teaching and principal (1966-1970)
- 1970-1980 Saints Peter & Paul School, Boonville, Mo.; teacher and K-8 principal
- 1980-1987 Nazareth Motherhouse, Concordia; administrator
- 1987-1988 Mount St. Joseph College, Cincinnati, Ohio; sabbatical program
- 1988-2001 St. Thomas Manor, East Point, Ga.; manager
- 1993-1998 Catholic Personal Care Homes, Atlanta; director
- 2002-2012 Home Instead Senior Care, Fayetteville, Ga.; caregiver
- 2012-present Volunteer
I experience my life as answering YES to a call I first received when I was in second grade at St. Boniface School in Tipton, Kan. At every stage of my life that call continued to draw me on.
During my growing up years I would get very homesick or anxious whenever I was away from home for any length of time. The first morning I woke up at our Motherhouse — Feb. 3, 1956 — I knew I was home. That conviction has never left me. I felt in my whole being that I was where I had been called to be. For years I had prayed daily for the grace of a religious vocation and the grace of that moment was, and is, the answer to my prayer.
Of course, I had no idea at the time what my commitment would require of me over the years. Looking back, I see many periods of very satisfying experiences as well as difficult situations. Being sent to Chicago on my first mission was an exciting experience for a girl who had never been out of Kansas or been on a train. Teaching 53 students in a crowded classroom was my initiation into 22 years in grade school education.
It was quite a leap from grade school administration to Motherhouse administration, but moving into that ministry taught me so much. I learned to love it and found that the greatest gift for me was working with our retired Sisters. What I left the Motherhouse with was a passion for ministry with elderly people. This ministry has led me to this point that I now am one of them!
Even with all the changes since Vatican II, the grace of my intuition that first morning remains as strong today as it was 60 years ago.
Dear Sister Helen,
It was an honor to be invited to attend your 60th Jubilee which took place at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. As a lay person, I struggle with letting go and letting God. My faith wavers. However, never to the point of dis-belief. I know that God is always at my side but sometimes I am not at His side.
Your devotion to God and a religious life is a true inspiration for folks in my situation. I am so grateful to God my Heavenly Father for the life I was given, to Jesus my Savior for the hope of eternal life that lies ahead of me and to The Holy Spirit for the life that lives inside of me. God has done such great things for me. I know I must have total faith that my life is God’s will and that His grace is sufficient. You are a beautiful example of the latter. I do not anticipate that I myself will receive the same calling as you but I do anticipate living my life in a manner pleasing to God. I am also grateful that God let’s me be in the company of extraordinary people such as yourself. I like rubbing elbows with “people in high places”.
As Father Michael said, you shine like a diamond and I am sure your crown will have many exquisite jewels.
Thank you for your service and your example. May God continue to bless you in return for both!
My love
Dawn McTigue
St. John the Evangelist parishioner
Helen,
Congratulations on your 60th Jubilee, enjoy your “Special” year!! Love you, Patty & Joe