In October 2024, the American Province launched Graced Moments, where every month, a Holy Child Sister shares a “grace-filled” experience that has influenced her life. The project flows from the Society’s mission “to help others to believe that God lives and acts in them and in our world.”
We thank Connie Craig, a Sister of the Holy Child Jesus for 66 years, for offering her “graced moment.”
Feel free to leave a comment for Sister Connie at the bottom of this page. Thank you.
Click the audio player to listen to Sister Connie read her
reflection or see the text below. Enjoy!
It was 1954 and I had recently graduated from college.
After taking a break, I decided wanted to be a travel agent. Resumes were sent and I waited. While waiting, I got a call from a Trinity nun asking if I would substitute in a second-grade for a teacher who was sick. I had no desire to teach but I agreed, making it clear that I did not wish to remain any longer. I entered the classroom, having no idea what I was doing but it did not take long for me to realize I loved it and wanted to be a teacher.
The next year, the Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus began to staff a new school, Annunciation, near my neighborhood. I went there hoping to join the faculty. I asked to teach second grade since I had a year of experience, but they gave me instead third and fourth together. I spent a lot of time that year with Emma Virginia learning how to be a good teacher.
One day, when I was watching the children on the playground, Mother Aiden came up to me and said,
“What are you going to do with your life?”
I thought that was the dumbest question I had ever heard. I was doing something. I had a job and hoped to be married and have several children.
But that was my graced moment. A seed had been planted and would not go away. Maybe God was calling me to something else.
I started my investigation by making an appointment with the novice director at Sacred Heart. I had a sister in that order and was educated many years by those nuns. However, sitting with her I did not feel right. I was uncomfortable and wanted to leave. I did not know the Holy Child Sisters very well, but I liked their spirit and their joy. Maybe I belonged there.
After months of pondering, I applied and was accepted.
From the day I entered, I adapted to everything—pitchers and basins for washing; washing dishes at the table; frequent periods of prayers. What was so hard for me was the rule of silence. I was a talker. Sometimes I think they considered sending me home, but I gradually got better.
Despite being a little different in my ways, I have been very happy as a Sister of the Holy Child for 66 years.
My graced moment has never left me.
“It is not presumption to have hope and joy
and confidence in God’s grace.”
-Venerable Cornelia Connelly
What in Sister Connie’s graced moment resonated with you? Please share below.
Thank you. Connie. We love you dearly. JMG
A very graced moment followed by a graced life-time! Blessings, Connie!
Great story, Connie! Thanks for sharing. Ro Tedesco
Your graced moment has brought many graces to me and to everyone whose lives you have enriched, Connie. Thanks for being true to that moment!
lovely account
This is a great story, Connie. Your openness to the voice of the Holy Spirit resonates with me. Our mother Cornelia told her sisters when they had challenges in a school in England, “you never know what you can do until you try …”. Thank you for your perseverance Connie. Bravo.
Thanks for sharing your story Connie. It resonates with me that a life can change in a moment, especially when we listen to the spirit behind that moment.
Connie, Thank you for sharing your graced moment. It inspired me and brightened my day. Mary
Your openness and readiness to respond to the promptings of the spirit. Thanks, Connie for sharing.
I love your shared ‘ Graced Moments ‘ you listened to the voice of God through another sister. The gift of Vocation is really something that no one could explain but then there’s always that inner peace and joy that keeps one going. Thank you SR. Connie Craig
Wow! What a heartwarming graced moment! It has taken me down memory lane, and I can feel and see the resonance in my journey of faith. Thank you for the opportunity! Blessings
Aunt Connie, you have always reflected the Holy Spirit in your life. You are an inspiration to our family. ❤️
Aunt Connie,
Thank You for sharing these wonderful events in your life. Definitely putting these words with our memories/recording from Granny! Love You, Bill and Linda
I love this graced moment! It really shows how a life can be changed in one moment. But Aunt Connie, you never did overcome being a talker and I love it!
Connie, thank you so much for sharing your life story, especially the graced moment. God does get us where we need to be!
Sister i m so glad you acted on that grace moment, you were my first and third grade teacher at Holy Child, Rosemont and your teaching laid the foundation for my future. I was blessed. God bless you!
Sister, I loved hearing your Grace moment, You made me smile.
Your persistence in all you do is, was and always will be. You are a true inspiration,,I rejoice in every moment I spent as your friend and neighbor. May God continue to shower blessings on you 😍💕😍💕
Thank you for sharing your Blessed Moments.