Testimonies - Eleana Mastromatteo

Deciding on one's vocation and how an individual is going to live out their baptismal call is a major life commitment. Therefore having the proper connections and resources is important.

For many years, I have had a lot of recurring thoughts about living my life as a sister. But only recently have I began to look into it more seriously. The vocations.ca Web site was my second step in obtaining information on religious life. My first step was when I contacted Serra House and spoke with Sister Christina. She sent me a lot of information including a copy of the latest Vision Magazine in the mail. As I was reading through the vision magazine I noticed the vocations.ca Web site address.

Once I was on the Web site, it completely intrigued me. Every time I browse through the Web site, I have a strong urge to look on it for as long as possible. This is due to the fact that it is fulfilling my desire to find out more information about religious life. Is also provides several links to different religious communities. While looking one time I felt inspired to click on the link that allowed me to get in contact with a sister through email. At first I got an reply from a Sister in Western Canada. After a few correspondences with her, she realized I lived in Toronto and immediately passed my email address along to Sister Susan Kidd.

After emailing Sister Sue a few times, I got her phone number. After speaking to her on the telephone we arranged to have a personal visit. Sister Sue brought me information on her congregation specifically (Congregation of Notre Dame) as well as other information. Before we departed, Sister Sue made it very clear that she would leave any future contact between us up to me. Again I felt a desire to email Sister Sue to keep in touch. To this day Sister Sue has been an excellent resource in providing me with information, and more importantly being my friend.

Thanks to the vocations.ca Web site, I have met Sister Sue. Due to this positive experience, I have continued to look at the Web site whenever I have free time. I have been printing up a lot of information on various religious communities and have put together a binder which I call "My Spiritual Binder". I have also been able to contact vocation directors. I have met with the Good Shepard Sisters Vocation Director, and have tentative plans to meet the Sisters of Social Service and Sisters of Providence. Some of the people I have emailed, unfortunately, live too far away to met them in-person. Instead, I have given them my mailing address, and they have sent me a lot of material that I have found most helpful and enjoyable to read.

Thinking back in time, if it was not for this Web site I would not be at the point I am today. I would not have had the opportunities to meet all of the wonderful people, and obtained all of the information I have. It has definitely opened up many doors for me, and has lead me to information and people that I never dreamed of meeting.