How to Become a Nun

A listener feels called to religious life, but is waiting for a sign from God to confirm that’s what He intends for her.

Sister Trish Doan is a Sister of St. Joseph of Orange who is completing her master’s degree in theology. She is an engineer, a restaurateur, an immigration professional — and a former refugee who escaped from Vietnam as an unaccompanied minor. Her family’s miraculous story (over the course of a decade, Sister Trish’s parents and all seven of her siblings made their way to the United States) is matched by the journey of discernment that brought her at least to the Sisters of St. Joseph – a community right in her own back yard. This week, Sister Trish speaks with us about her vocation journey, but be sure to tune in for a special extra edition of In Good Faith next week, when Sister Trish returns to share the story of her years-long journey from Vietnam to the US.

Sister Mary Pellegrino, Senior Vice President of Plante Moran consulting firm, and her consultant team work to ensure that religious institutes realize their potential and meet the challenges of the day, through the lens of their mission and charism. By changing the way the story of religious life is currently told, from one of scarcity and diminishment to one of abundance and social capital, Sister Mary sees exciting possibilities for religious institutes to collaborate in creating a more just and equitable world. Prior to working with Plante Moran, Sister Mary served as congregational moderator of her community, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden, Pennsylvania, and served in the presidency of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in the US. Mary has also served in vocation formation ministries for her congregation, as well as parish and campus ministries.