
Sister Anne Marie Saphara
Sister Anne Marie Saphara professed her perpetual vows as a Sister of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities during a Mass at the Franciscan Villa chapel in Syracuse, N.Y. on Saturday, August 9.
Sister Anne Marie attended Catholic schools in Auburn, N.Y. She said when she was 18 she wanted to join a religious community but, as they say “life is what happens when you are making other plans” and young Anne Marie was pulled in a different direction. She married and had a son, left Auburn and held jobs as a graphic artist and Web designer at the Pentagon and other government organizations. “The call to religious life was still in the back of my mind,” she explains. “After 10 long years of discerning it, I had to follow through on my instincts. I moved back to Syracuse, and followed my calling to religious life.” Sister Anne Marie reflects on the twists and turns in her life that eventually brought her to the Sisters of St. Francis. “God has no time limits. We have no control over when he will call us,” she says. “In my case it was later on in life. I hope that my many life experiences and gifts will enable me to always be there for others.” On the day of her profession, Sister Anne Marie was joyfully embraced by the love and prayers of her sisters in community, friends and family.
Congratulations Sister Anne Marie, It is always good news to hear that another person is entering the religious life to help us sinners enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Victor Abbatiello
Knights of Columbus
Honolulu, Hawaii
My good wishes and prayers are with you. Thank you for the gift of yourself. May our dear Lord continue to bless you and keep you ever in his loving care.
Wonderful and joyful celebration from beginning to end, very special event for a quite special sister.
Congratulations, Sister Ann Marie! I’m so happy for you that you heard and answered God’s calling to the religious life! You were my favorite teacher in high school, and I learned so much about art from you in your commercial art classes. To this day I’m putting those lessons to good use!
God bless, and God’s best to you always!