Consecrated life: ‘everything else I wanted and more’

So, what do you want to be when you grow up? I was asked that question many times while growing up in Manville. I was taught by the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters at Sacred Heart School and had an aunt in the congregation. Inspired by their lives of prayer, peace, joy and community, I often responded that I wanted to be a “nun” or “religious” (more accurately known today as a vowed woman religious).

I enjoyed playing school and thought about becoming a teacher; I was gifted in art and considered a career as an artist; and I loved to make people laugh, so I deliberated the possibility of becoming a stand-up comedian. However, my decision always returned to being a religious. I had a plan, but God had a better one and in the end I became a religious, plus everything else I wanted and more.

In 1960, at the age of 14, I entered Mount Alvernia High School to nurture my religious vocation. My initial years of formation were spent in the postulancy in Reading, Pa., and in the novitiate in Villanova University (Pa.).

In June 1964, I exchanged my name, Ann Marie Nawracaj, and took the religious name, Sister Carol Ann. I professed my perpetual vows in 1970 and received a ring as a symbol of a total, loving commitment of my life to God. 

My teaching career begun in 1967 spanned numerous schools throughout New Jersey and Massachusetts. Since my community had 11 schools in New Jersey, it was not a surprise that I would teach in a number of them – St. Mary’s in Bound Brook; St. Ann’s in Garwood, St. Gregory the Great in Hamilton Square, St. Casimir’s in Riverside, and Saint Mary’s in South River.

In 1971, I graduated from Alvernia College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education.

In 1973, I was assigned to teach at our Villa Maria School for children with learning disabilities in Stamford, Conn. Here, I utilized my creativity in developing teaching strategies for students who needed to learn differently. I went on to earn a Master’s Degree in special education and my administrative training at Fairfield University and Sacred Heart University, and within five years was appointed the Executive Director of Villa Maria, a position that I held until 2016 when I became Director of Mission Advancement and Alumni Relations. 

My artistic abilities and professional experience were combined in a variety of ways both in the classroom and out of the classroom.  My drawings and calligraphy resulted in numerous kinds of artwork and publications, including greeting cards and coloring books with my whimsical Little Sisters. I also created banners and brochures, plus the cover and illustrations for “Souper Bowl of Recipes” a recipe book compiled by the wives of some NFL coaches. 

Although I never became a comedian, I found magic to be a fascinating hobby. As I worked on perfecting my magic tricks, I would occasionally try them out on my Sisters in the convent. My early magic tricks were homemade, and the comical aspects of not working were often more entertaining than the tricks themselves. At that time, my only success as a magician was to announce that I had a new trick, and the others sisters disappeared. 

After obtaining and practicing several professional tricks, I acquired quite a repertoire of magic. Since 1987, I have been a member of the Society of American Magicians and was a board member of the local Society of Young Magicians. I performed for David Copperfield, “Entertainment Tonight,” and the audience of “Nunsense” at the Connecticut Broadway Theatre. For several Christmas seasons, I orchestrated a magic show called The Birthday Party for Jesus at my home parish in Manville. Most of my MAGIC was to Motivate And Give Inspiration to Children, but I also entertained parents and teachers at Villa Maria and performed at various charitable events and public speaking appearances. One of my fondest magic moments occurred after contacting Newman’s Own Foundation to request a grant for our school. When the foundation discovered that I was a professional magician, I was invited to perform at the company’s annual Christmas party. The result was a standing ovation, a hug from actor Paul Newman and a donation to Villa Maria.

Besides being an author of several articles for educational publications, I co-authored two books with photographer Monica Rich Kosann. “Treasures from Heaven – The Gift of Children” was published in 1997 and “Thank Heaven for Little Girls – A Celebration in Words and Pictures” was published in 2001, both of which were my witness to God’s love for His children. 

Last, but not least, my affiliation with the New York Football Giants is widely known. My involvement began in 1974 when I was studying at Fairfield University, and the team was there for training camp. At that time, I knew little about the Giants or football, and probably would have defined “sudden death” as the quickest way for a devout soul to get to heaven. I started a friendship with the players, coaches and management that has grown over the years. My motivational and inspirational efforts were so appreciated that I was officially proclaimed an Honorary Assistant Coach in 1981. In this capacity, I have boosted the morale of the team through my talks at training camp, team meetings, congratulatory messages and faithful collection of newspaper clippings that I present to the players at the end of each season. I was in attendance for all the Super Bowl games in which the Giants were contenders, and my status as coach has been recognized in national newspapers and appearances on CBS, WOR, NFL Today, ESPN, and Sports Channel – to name a few. 

At present, I am the Vocation Director and Aspirant Director for our congregation. I am not a recruiter. That’s God’s job. I accompany women on their journey of discernment. For the Vocation Day at a Catholic high school, I told my vocation story, and asked if there were any questions. One young man raised his hand and said that he didn't have a question but a comment.  I responded, “Okay! What’s your comment?” And he said, “You remind me of Forrest Gump.” Noticing my puzzled expression, he asked, “Don’t you know who Forrest Gump is?” I responded, “Yes, I know who Forrest Gump is.” He went on to explain, “In his lifetime, Forrest Gump met many people who influenced his life and whose lives he inspired. He didn’t plan any of it. It just happened. That’s how I see you and your life.” Whew! I wondered there for a minute. God has a goal and purpose in bringing us into contact with people and events, and we need to do His will in situations in which He places us. 

God has challenged me so much in my life to do things I never dreamt were possible. He has worked so many awesome wonders in my life thus far, that I can’t even imagine what He has in store in the years ahead. 

Drawn by prayer, spirituality, charism, community life and mission, men and women continue to respond to the call to the priesthood and religious life. From a recent study, the National Religious Vocation Conference learned that in a recent study 70 percent of new entrants considered religious life before age 21, and 95 percent found meeting with a member of the institute most helpful. So . . . Who will serve?  How about you?