Sister Barbara Blesse

Profession: June 19, 1968

Current Ministry: Vicaress, Dominican Sisters of Springfield

Birthplace: Jacksonville, Ill.

Home parish: Our Savior Parish, Jacksonville, Ill.

Previous ministries: Elementary Education Cathedral, Springfield, Ill., Sacred Heart, Granite City, Ill., St. Mary, New Berlin, Ill.; St. Vincent De Paul, Peoria, Ill. Campus minister Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights, Ill.; Siena Heights University, Adrian, Mich.; Director of Bible travel and study programs Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.

Musings: A religious vocation enables one to be a part of something much bigger than oneself. It provides an avenue for spreading God’s love in our world while working to make the world a more peace-filled, joy-filled, compassionate and just place for the good of all humanity. I was influenced by the joy and dedication I witnessed in the sisters who were assigned to teach at Our Saviour Grade School and Routt High School while I was growing up in Jacksonville. They instilled in me a love for the things of God which I took to heart while I was feeling drawn to the same Dominican way of religious life that they were living. Year after year I am more convinced that living the Dominican charism is a good match for me and my personality and gifts and it’s an authentic way for me to live my life’s call.