Marianne McGowan works with students at Cabrini Immigrant Services.  Here students from Italy, China and Germany celebrate passing their citizenship test.

Years ago, on the day before Halloween to be exact, a blonde, blue eyed kid took a trip to West Park, New York. Her dad drove the car all the way up from Washington Heights. Mom sat teary eyed in the passenger seat and Aunt Mary sat in the back seat nervously fingering her rosary beads. That kid was wearing a pale yellow coat with large gold buttons down the front. I know all these details because I was that kid. Quite hesitantly, I traded in my yellow coat for a long black skirt, cape and veil. I really liked that coat. And so, my story begins.

The warmth and welcoming that I first experienced living there in the novitiate of the Missionary Sisters was tangible. Of course, my first full day there was Halloween Day itself and I could not believe the fun and merrymaking that took place. Mother Camille led the parade, costumes, candles, candy and all! “Is this what happens in the convent I asked myself?” I soon learned that while the Halloween festivities did not last the whole year the warm and welcoming environment did. I lived a life in community with other young women who also desired to pursue a deep and meaningful prayer life nourished by the support of a strong community. We were a joyful group! I can remember singing on the upper porch deck of the novitiate which overlooked the mighty Hudson River, in October the gold and red leaves were dappled with sunlight. There was no question that God was present in our lives.

Youngsters associated with Cabrini Immigrant Services participated in the family trip  to the Bronx Zoo.

After taking vows I found myself “landed” in Red Hook Brooklyn, 580 Henry Street to be exact. The convent was a three story brownstone right in the heart of an Italian neighborhood. I was assigned to teach second graders, 50 in the class to be exact! Runny noses and stuck zippers were our biggest problems! The Sisters walked to and from school every day and this walk was an experience in itself. I can still hear the neighbors shouting to one another in Italian from across the courtyard, the aroma of freshly baked calzones seeping through the restaurant doors and windows. I simply loved Brooklyn. As I look back on it all now, I recognize God’s presence in that warm, welcoming community life I led, as well as in my ministry as a teacher. But things were about to change. Pope John XXIII convened the Vatican Council and the windows of the church were thrown open. The church was changing and so was I.

I felt God’s call again after ten years as a Missionary Sister. Prayerful discernment enabled me to decide to leave religious life. Still, this journey continued. I met and married my husband Tom, a former De La Salle Christian Brother. The melding of the Cabrinian and LaSallian charismas have enriched our marriage and strengthened our parenting skills. Our wonderful daughters, both of whom are adopted, have moved on and lead productive lives. Needless to say, they are never very far from our consciousness. Neither are our grandchildren, Samantha and Christopher. Grandparenting is so much fun that we should have done this first!

Marianne, (3rd l.) is pictured here with students from Ecuador, Japan, China, Guatemala and Russia.

Through these years and life’s changes I have sustained close relationships with Cabrini Sisters. Their life of prayer and compassion as well as their friendship, has been a gift to me. These Sister friends have modeled what living a good Christian life looks like. I want to emulate this.

Where am I now you may ask? Well, this journey of mine continues still. For years I worked as teacher and staff developer in the Public School system in Westchester. Now my ministry is as Education Coordinator at Cabrini Immigrant Services in Dobbs Ferry, New York. I facilitate instruction in English to immigrants from all over the world, most of whom are struggling to become documented. Sometimes, when the office is filled with people speaking different languages, I am brought right back to 580 Henry Street in Brooklyn and the memories feel so good.

Finally, my decision to become a Cabrini Lay Missionary may be just the right ending to my story. I’m confident now. I’ve come full circle and I’m looking forward to returning to that place which perhaps, I had never really left.

Marianne McGowan makes her commitment as a Cabrini Lay Missionary along with Maureen Bennett at the Provincial Assembly.  Pictured with them are CLM Director Pat Krasnausky (l.) and Stella Maris Provincial Sr. Pietrina Raccuglia, MSC.

Read past "Companions on the Journey" stories...

Learn more about Mother Cabrini

Read more about the Missionary Sisters

Learn more about the Cabrini Lay Missionaries

Discover more about Cabrini Mission Corps