Sister Dorothy Kinniry

"I don’t know if God ever called me to be a Daughter of Charity; I kept pestering God to give me a vocation because of what I saw in the Sisters." Sister Dorothy Kinniry grew up around the corner from St. Joseph’s Gonzaga Home in Philadelphia, an orphanage staffed by the Daughters. She watched the Sisters with the children and was attracted to their kindness and simplicity: "they were so down-to-earth and approachable with everyone. Their total dedication to the children made me want to be like them."

During her high school years, she volunteered at Gonzaga, so much so, that her mother said, "they see more of you than I do!" Six months after graduating from high school, Sister Dorothy entered the Daughters of Charity and for the past 65 years, has lived the life with "deep gratitude for all that God and the Community has given me."

Sister Dorothy taught in schools, worked for many years in social work, and was a hospital chaplain. She came to St. Louise House, the retirement home for the Daughters in Albany, eight years ago as a staff person. She continues her ministry of pastoral care with the Sisters and says, "being here is the greatest blessing in my life. I find myself more open to prayer, and I understand in a deep way what it means to live in God’s presence. I have more time to be with God and God has been so good to me."

"My advice to someone who might be thinking about religious life? Open yourself to the possibility that God may be calling you to this life. Believe that you have something to give to others. It isn’t always easy, but being in relationship with God makes all the difference. Do the best you can with what you’ve got and God will do the rest!"