“This is what Yahweh asks of you, only this, to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
Sister Margaret Connor, SNDdeN was the sixth of nine children born to Mary Veronica Julia Connors and Francis Joseph Connor in Washington, D.C. Her family had a deep connection to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and her maternal aunt, Sister Helen Aloysius, SNDdeN, and her older sister, Sister Carol Connor, SNDdeN, were both members of the congregation.
When Sister Margaret was nine, tragedy struck the family when her father passed away. Her mother, left to raise nine children by herself, inspired the young Sister Margaret by teaching her to “believe in God’s ways, trust His goodness, and move forward in life with faith, courage resilience and hope.” Sister Margaret credits this strong example of faith, sacrifice, and determination as the root of her choice to pursue a vocation in serving God unconditionally.
Sister Margaret’s missions have been diverse. Through the years, her ministries have included elementary and secondary education and administration as well as pastoral counseling services, spiritual direction. She has served as director of a spirituality center retreat program. “In these ministries,” Sister Margaret shares, “my hope was to show God’s goodness and encouragement for people of any age and culture to cross the bridge of where they see themselves, the ‘now moment’ of reality, to what they need to do, step by step, to cross the bridge and become who they really want to be in truth and freedom – fully alive.”
At the time of her 60th Jubilee, Sister Margaret is thankful for the gift of life. “I continue to live and enjoy this gift and its graces with each action I take,” she reflects. She draws hope from her spirituality and the knowledge that she belongs to God. “I’m invited to live in the daily reality of God’s faithful relationship with me, whom He has called to be His servant in the service of the Gospels,” she says. She is grateful for each opportunity and experience she has to show St. Julie Billiart’s truth: “God is good, all the time, God is good.”
Her advice for those who may be considering a vocation is to separate themselves from life’s distractions and give themselves the time and space to follow the heart of truth. “Truth sets us free to respond with self-integrity and joyful acceptance.”
“I believe my strength and wisdom to serve others roots itself in God’s goodness,” says Sister Margaret. She is thankful for the congregation’s attitude of compassion, spiritual openness, and receptivity for the uniqueness of the people they encounter in their global ministries.