Sister placed herself in the hands of God

Mulholland renews her religious commitment daily

- WCR photo by Ramon Gonzalez Sr. Gertrude Mulholland has served in parish ministry for 30 years.

By LASHA MORNINGSTAR
WCR News Editor
Sherwood Park

Nurturing Catholic faith cocooned Sister Gertrude Mulholland's Maritime childhood. Born the fourth child and first girl in a family of six boys and two girls, Mulholland remembers, "We were probably lower middle class, but we had good meals, good happy family time together."

Her father was a railway mail clerk, so that meant he was away from home in Saint John, N.B., a lot.

"But on Sunday, he'd take us all out for a walk and give my mum a little bit of time to have some quiet for herself."

Mass, activities in the church, family prayer and mealtime created a warm, secure ambience for young Gertrude.

"In New Brunswick we had all public schools, but the greater population of the school was Catholic, so we had religion before or after school. Our sisters taught in the school as well."

Memories of sisters

Mulholland's memories of the sisters around her proved to be one of the major influences on her vocation path.

"Each teacher was different. One was musical, another a good storyteller, and one taught me how to knit and crochet."

Then there was their caring for their young charges.

Mullholland recalls, "They were all very much interested in us as people. They were concerned about each person. We weren't just a whole group of young people, but we were each important."

Like any other teenager, Mulholland dated, went to dances.

"But I didn't have a deep serious relationship with a boy."

By junior high though, she "had a sense of wanting to serve God in a deeper way."

Seeing the way these sisters lived out their mission of the kindness and charity of St. Vincent de Paul, nourished by her Catholic background, plus the growing up with that desire for a relationship with God found Gertrude telling a sister of her desire to become a Sister of Charity of the Immaculate Conception.

Her mother and father were "very supportive, did not say anything negative."

Time of inquiry

She entered the convent right from high school and became a postulant.

"It was a time of inquiry, getting to know the sisters, the way of life and if this is really where God is calling you."

Sure there were doubts. "I would go through the pros and cons and wonder 'Is this really where God is leading me?'

"You place yourself in God's hands. And some days you would think to yourself, 'This is really difficult.' But I remember one of our sisters saying the commitment needs to be made every day. It is ongoing. Say each day to God, 'I give myself to you.'"

After four and one-half years, Mulholland made her permanent commitment to be a Sister of Charity.

After two years of study at teachers college, Mulholland taught grade school in the Maritimes and Grade 4 to 9 math and science in Wetaskiwin.

The sister went on to study for her master's degree in spirituality in Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and she also has a master's in religious education from Boston College.

"This gave me the background for over 30 years of parish ministry," explains Mulholland.

She also was part of the archdiocesan catechetical team, serving in rural areas for six and a half years.

Mulholland lends her talents as spiritual director and facilitator at retreats and workshops.

Most of her ministry has been in small towns and rural areas.

Needs of rural parishes

So she knows whereof she speaks when she says one of the greatest needs is "ministry to those who are far away, giving ongoing formation. They need people to go out to them to give formation in their faith and formation in their leadership so they can be leaders in their parishes."

Presently a pastoral assistant at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Sherwood Park, Mulholland says she still goes out to a couple of parishes "just because there is a need there."

So what has life as a woman religious given her?

"I have grown personally, spiritually and in my relationship with God."

In her work as a teacher, in parish ministry and religious education, she says, the "key focus for me is people.

"People are much more important than all the paperwork that you do."

She slips back during her explanation to St. Vincent de Paul, her order's patron.

"He wanted women out of the convent, telling them 'Your cloister is a city street.'"

Given that foundation, Mulholland says: "That is what I try to do today. Be a presence. More than what I do is who I am, being that presence of God for people and helping them to recognize how God is present in their lives, walking with them, leading them."

Mulholland has been a sister for almost 48 years. And what of the future?

Her answer is quick and direct. "Live each day and each day be present to the needs that are there."

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