Last month I had the pleasure of meeting Sister Victoria Marie Forde. She, Professor Buffy Barkley and I had a lovely lunch across the street at the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse.
It started with an ominous email from Barkley subject lined, “stop in for a brief chat.” As a student I thought I was being accused of something and was terrified! Turned out, Buffy just wanted to speak to me about the scholarship I was granted at the beginning of this semester. I noticed the C. Kane/ V. Forde scholarship on my financial aid packet, but I had no idea the doors it would open for me! That day, Buffy explained that every year a student majoring in English is chosen to receive this scholarship. Sister Victoria, one of those named on the scholarship, was an English scholar herself and taught for many years, so her friend Dorothy, the sister of the Chris Kane, the other name on the scholarshsip, decided to give money back into the liberal arts program at the Mount. The last recipient of this scholarship has graduated, so this year it was granted to me! Honestly, this scholarship was exactly what I needed this year since money’s tight and I’m on my own for tuition. During this meeting Buffy explained that Sister Vicoria loves to meet the recipent, so we went ahead and scheduled a lunch date to meet and say thank you.
I was excited to hear that we would be dining over at the Motherhouse in the Bedford Room because it meant I would be able to eat at the place that I work five days a week. I have worked at the Motherhouse for three years now, so I felt like an imposter walking in without my uniform, but I was delighted to talk to my coworkers and see the Sisters that I am normally serving. Funny enough, a Sister I love dearly, and see every shift, didn’t recognize me with my hair down! Sister Victoria seemed to get a kick out of watching me mingle with the other Sisters though, and she laughed that I already knew my way around the place.
During our lunch we talked about a number of things, but Sister Victoria was keen on getting to know me. We talked extensively about the literature and writing classes I have taken, goals for my future, and the extracurriculars I am a part of. Sister Victoria was delighted to hear that I am a member of Mount Saint Joseph’s University Singers. I told her all about our then-upcoming October concert and our plans to sing in the Motherhouse chapel. Fast forward to that performance, I was almost late hiking over to the chapel, but when I arrived my director told me that I had a friend in the crowd. I was confused at first until she told me it was the lovely lady in pink. I looked over and it was none other than Sister Victoria! I cannot describe the joy I felt at the support. Even though it was just a rehersal for the choir, it felt amzing to have at least one fan in the audience that day. Speaking to her after the performance, I told her about the New York trip and she expressed her wish to donate! How could this already generous woman become even more generous?!
I am incredibly honored to be chosen for this scholarship. I have attended Catholic schools all my life, and I graduated from Seton High School, so I knew the importance of the Sisters of Charity before I came to the Mount. Working at the Moutherhouse, starting there during my senior year at Seton, I got to see firsthand how involved the Sisters are in the community. Every single one of them is dedicated to their mission, so it is an honor to serve them (even if it’s just breakfast), and it is an honor to know Sister Victoria. She is the sweetest woman you will ever meet, so if you do get the chance to meet her, watch out! She’s a hugger! In all seriousness, I am infinitely grateful for the help from Dorothy and Sister Victoria and I hope to make them proud through my acheivements at the Mount, which would not be possible without them.
Photo: Dr. Barkley, Megan Thompson, Sr. Victoria Marie Forde