Sisters of Saint Joseph Federation

Sr. Monique Like Siswoyo

Hello everybody, I am Sr. Monique Like Siswoyo, CSJ. I am in my second year of Novitiate with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, California. Originally, I came from the island of Java, Indonesia. (There was where President Obama attended second grade). I have four siblings who are living in Indonesia. This is a piece of my life's journey:

I received this special call from God early in my life. Through the good and bad moments, God was always there waiting for me. My study took me to the Netherlands for a year. This experience encouraged me to come to the United States in 2004. Here, I had to start from zero with finding work, a place to live and learning English. It was not easy but I received many graces through it. I worked as a sushi chef, a sales associate in a retail business, and a beautician at Macy's. One time, I mentioned to a priest about my vocation. He gave a reference to the sisters in the hospital around the corner. I came by bus, entered the front entrance which was the St. Joseph hospital's emergency door and asked the security lady where to see the sisters. That was the beginning of my journey with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. The security lady directed me to go to the main lobby. Over there, I saw a sister worked in a business outfit. I was surprised, I never saw a sister wearing regular clothes. On my way out, I saw a retreat center. Thinking that it would be better to leave my contact information at two places, I went and talked with one of the sisters at the retreat center. Through her the Vocation Director was put in contact with me. With the Vocation Director I discerned whether or not religious life was my calling from God. The other part of the discernment was whether or not this community and I are a good fit.

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange are happy people to be with. (Maybe that's partly because they are only three miles from Disneyland). Later on, I learned that they are also a part of a BIGGER St. Joseph family around the globe. I love that. I studied Hotel Management because I wanted to "go international".

Now, I am learning on how to be an apostolic woman religious with the global awareness. The sisters support me in developing my talents so I can serve God's people throughout the world. One of the ways that I am learning about global awareness is through my participation in our Global Concern Committee.

In this particular time in the Federation Novitiate, I will "taste" the richness by living with the sisters from four different Congregations of the Sisters of Saint Joseph in the United States. We have diversity in the house through countries of origin and/or ministry, which personally means enrichment in ethnic foods.

As you might guess, I like cooking and food tasting. I like to create a meal with different flavors and styles. I also like art for example watercolor painting. Art becomes a way to open up myself and bring me close to God. Someday, I want to share this experience with the people who are unfamiliar with art and beauty for example the street children in Indonesia. I perceive children as the most vulnerable people in the society. Besides food and art, I like to explore. Chicago will be a new place to explore and learn with Preenika, Anne, and Bernie. Meeting new people always excite me because it expands my horizon of thinking. I see God's people from many different backgrounds and challenge myself for opening my heart to create spaces for them. I love for being a part of this inclusive community of God's great love. I am looking forward for study, ministry, and having FUN!!

Sr. Mary Preenika Dabrera

My name is Mary Preenika Dabrera, I am 30 years old and I was born in Sri Lanka. I am the youngest in my family and I have an elder brother and an elder sister. I like to read, watch television; however, spending time with my friends is one of the best things I have always loved to do. My friends and I spent lots of time at St. Mary's church, my home town church, doing social work and attending the associations. We were happy to be part of the church.

When I was 18 years old, my sister and I moved to United State where my mom was working. Getting used to living in New York City was a bit hard for us at the beginning because everything was so new to us. First I started taking English classes to improve my English, after that I start going to Plaza College for further education. I worked in few Fast Food restaurants while I was going to College. But, working at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital as a receptionist in the Maternity Unit was one of the best job I ever had. I really did enjoy seeing new born babies and being able to share the happiness with those families.

Being a Citizen of United States gave me the opportunity to learn about other cultures and people. My variety of work experiences also taught me how to work with others who come from different parts of the world. It definitely helped me to see God and the world in a special way.

Almost four years a go, I had the privilege of meeting some of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. They helped me to listen to the Holy Spirit and discern God's call in my life. I entered as a Candidate September 19, 2009. I lived with seven other Sisters of Saint Joseph in St. Patrick Convent, Long Island City. It helped me to get to know them better. After living with the sisters for almost two years, I am certain that this how I want to spend rest of my life. I took the next step of entering in to Novitiate in May, 2011. I'm looking forward to learn more about religious life, God and deepen the relationship with others and God.

Now the biggest question that everyone asks "Why do you want to be a Sister?" No matter how I tried to answer it, people are not satisfied with my answers. It is hard to explain, how I feel to people that do not think the way I do. If I tell them "God loves me so much, so I want to serve God's people and bring them closer to God", they don't understand it. However, I am really happy because the people that I am sharing my life with understand me well.

Since I was six moths old I grew up with my grandfather's sister, Gertroot, and her husband, Ansalam. They did not have children, so I was with them until I came to America. My sister and my brother grew up in my grandparents' house, not far from where I lived. I call Ansalam "uncle" and Gertroot "aunt" but I don't think my own parents could have loved me more than they did. They were like my parents. From early on, I knew that I was loved and well cared for. I always felt safe when I was with them. Some of my friends were in the same situation, so we cared for each other and loved one another. I knew I was very lucky to have kind people like them in my life.

As I grew older and learned about God, I started to realize how much God loves me. God placed me in a loving family. I remember since I was small getting what ever I wished for when I really needed them. I can not ask for anything more. I strongly believe in God and I always felt like I have been called to do something different from my friends and others. First, I did not recognize it, but the more I learned about God and the world, I understood that I have been called to live a Religious Life.

All my family members and friends are happy with my decision. With my family, friends and sisters helping me, I am looking forward to continuing my journey and to be what God wants me to be!

2011 Novitiate