Sister Rose Marie Wilson
Library Director; Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School
Montebello, California

Religious life is certainly exciting! With the combination of mutual love, support, concern and the common bond of prayer with my sisters, I enjoy sharing my ministry, gifts and talents where they are needed. I thank God I found a niche in Catholic education.

After ten years as principal of Mount Alvernia High School, I felt called to help others elsewhere. Southern California gives me an opportunity to work with a multicultural/multiracial community. Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School (CSHM) has an enrollment of 650 students. Ninety-three percent are Hispanic, 6 percent are Asian and the remaining students are from various ethnic backgrounds.

As full-time library director, I always have a project, a crusade. I love searching for information, doing research, reorganizing and helping students and teachers. I also moderate the Library Club where the students get together weekly and read for fun. The club members also celebrate birthdays, go on field trips and read to preschool children. However, I believe my first duty as a religious faculty member is to be a witness for God and to teach lessons of love, acceptance and peace.

I am sure that God guided me to CSHM to be an anchor. The faculty and staff, parents and students accept and respect me. Although I have been at the same school for 19 years, I feel that I still have more to give and do – personally, academically and spiritually. I often think I may be the only introduction to St. Francis that our students will ever experience. I never miss an opportunity to talk about Francis, Clare, our beloved community or Pittsburgh!

In my years at CSHM, so many people have entered and enriched my life. Day after day, I am enriched by the prayerfulness, the customs, the helpfulness and the selflessness of so many. Each one has a special gift and shares it graciously: humor, generosity, encouragement, cheerfulness, a bit of timely advice, a listening ear. I am blessed indeed.