My journey in Religious life is ongoing. I have always had a deep yearning to be close to our Lord for my strength is with Him. Before I became a Religious, my work choices had been the ones which enabled me to bring His love to the marginalized, most abandoned, and needy persons. Saying "yes" to Him in making decisions or habitually asking "God, is this your will for me?" has been a deliberate and conscious practice for me.
In April 2005, I made a planned visit to the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm in Germantown, New York. I was blessed and graced to feel the deep spirituality of Mother Angeline Teresa, Foundress, in this place. During my visit I opened myself to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit and entrusted myself to our Blessed Mother. As time went on I was drawn to the contemplative life from reading "Story of A Soul" and "Therese and Maurice," both on the life of St. Therese of Lisieux.
Wanting to discern more deeply the possibility of my vocation I made a retreat in the week celebrating the Feast of the Sacred Heart. It was then that I understood that the churning within me was a deep desire to serve God's people. I started the application process assuring myself that by remaining open to the Holy Spirit, God would speak to me and show me His way. I finally received a letter from the Carmelite Sisters informing me that I was accepted! It arrived on the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux on the 1st of October. I took it as my answer from God.
I joined the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm in October 23, 2005. I received the Carmelite habit and took the name Sister Mary Kimberly Joy. It is God himself who gave me my name since the joy of the Lord is my strength!
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Sister M. Kimberly Joy