Though homesick at times, Clara adjusted well to her new surroundings. The Sisters in Pittsburgh welcomed her into their Community and were a source of inspiration and encouragement as she moved toward her final profession of vows. After nearly two years of living with the Pittsburgh Community, Clara feels at home - so much so, that she has decided to remain here to finish her schooling and carry out her ministry. The support of the Sisters has been invaluable to Clara as she prepared for her final profession. Sister Mary Ellen Rufft, Provincial Director of the Community, speaking at Clara's profession ceremony, likened religious life to sugar.
Sugar is made up of oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon.
None of these elements is in itself sweet. The sweetness of sugar is in the relationship. It is in the union of the three that the sweetness resides. According to Sister Mary Ellen, to embrace religious life today is responding to the innate longing in the human spirit to be connected - to God, and to one another. When women say 'yes' to religious life, we proclaim that an intimate relationship with God is richer than any food.