Thank You for Making an Impact: Sister Samuella is Thrilled

This is a copy of Sister Samuella's hometown newspaper, the Mt. Sterling Democrat-Message, from January 11, 1950. The BIG NEWS, on the front page—just below the report of the Mt. Sterling city council meeting—is the story about the day Sister Samuella gave her life to God as a novice with the Dominican Sisters of Springfield:

MISS PHYLLIS VOLK
RECEIVES WHITE HABIT
OF DOMINICAN SISTERS

We had to show you. Isn't it amazing?

Thank you from all of us.

Here's a transcript of the whole story, so you can celebrate with Sister Samuella today—January 3—the moment 70 years ago when she committed her life to God.

We thought that might be a nice way to say thank you, and to share our true appreciation for the gift you've given us.

The Impact of your Gift.

Donations made to our 2019 Christmas appeal will be used to purchase technology that will give our nurses fast access to our sisters' medical charts the moment they need them. This will be a game changers for our sisters, who count so much on your generosity for their care.

Thanks for helping us know that soon our nurses will be able to respond to the critical health needs of our sisters at a time when moments count.

MISS PHYLLIS VOLK
RECEIVES WHITE HABIT
OF DOMINICAN SISTERS

Phyllis Volk, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matt Volk Jr., was one of 19 postulants who received the white veil of a Dominican novice, amid the brilliant ceremonies of a two-hour service, in the Sacred Heart convent chapel, Springfield, on Tuesday, January 3. During the same service, eight novices pronounced their first vows, marking completion of the year of novitiate. Also, four professional religious pronounced their finals vows as Dominicans.

Bishop William A. O’Connor, Springfield, presided at the service, and preached the sermon. Because of the large number of postulants and novices involved, the seating of parents and near relatives was by ticket. Others thronged the galleries, aisles, and even the hallways outside the chapel.

The 19 postulants entered the sanctuary in solemn and stately procession, each one being dressed as a bride for marriage. Each one received from the Bishop, neatly folded, the religious habit she would later wear as a Dominican novice. Each then retired from the chapel in procession, while the eight novices and the four professed religious pronounced their vows.

In the meantime, the postulants having exchanged their bridal dress, for the more solemn garb of a bride of Christ, returned in procession to the Bishop, who presented them with a cross, a rosary, and a new name. The religious name of Miss Volk is, Sister Mary Samuella.

Relatives and friends of Sister Samuella, who were present at the ceremony, included: Father Burtle, Mr. and Mrs. Francis Volk and family, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Volk and family, Mr. Ray Howard and family, Mr. and Mrs. James Volk and family, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Volk and family, Mr. and Mrs. Foote, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Markert, Mr. and Mrs. Matt Volk and family, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Prillmayer, Joan Ray, Joan Henricks, Sister Mary Mercedes, Sister Mary Mary all of Mt. Sterling; Mr. and Mrs. Roger Shelts, Quincy; Mr. and Mrs. Roger Michael Laska, Chicago; Mary Ann and Nancy Garmes, Peoria; and Patricia Hurr, Peoria.

Mt. Sterling Democrat-Message, January 11, 1950.