Sister Jane Graves

As a high school student growing up in Oneida, New York, Jane Graves dreamed someday of becoming a research scientist. Yet, there was something inside of her that she couldn’t exactly pinpoint, a quiet and gentle nudging, that drew her to consider religious life. Jane eventually chose the latter, and it has made all of the difference for her.

"I was drawn to the Daughters of Charity but I absolutely did not want to become a teaching sister like most of the sisters I knew at that time," said Sister Jane Graves, a member of the Daughters of Charity for the past 41 years.  She spent most of those years as a teacher. "And who says that God doesn’t have a sense of humor?"

"There was something very simple about the Daughters I knew, something straightforward," she said. "Three of us began visiting the Daughters and we went out with them to visit the sick and poor in their homes, to get a flavor for the kind of work that they did. It was a great introduction to the charism of the Daughters to care for the needy."

Although she vowed that she would never become a teacher, Sister Jane discovered a joy in teaching. "Educating others is a work that is dear to our founder, Saint. Vincent," said Sister Jane. "Vincent didn’t say go out and give bread alone to those in need, but help each person to be self sufficient. By helping people to develop themselves through the process of education, they are becoming the best that they can be," she said

Sister Jane believes that each person is intended by God to be happy in life and in order to find that happiness, you need to see where God is leading you. "I suggest that any young woman considering a religious vocation should look at many different communities to see which is the best fit," she said. "Each one of us is called to live out a specific charism, and through discernment, we find the path to the life that God has in store for us.  I’ve been very satisfied,  and despite the up ands downs that are part of everyone's life, I’ve been very happy."

In addition to her work as the Provincial Treasurer, Sister Jane is also the Chair of the Board at Seton Health System, Troy, NY.  She recently spent some extended renewal time exploring art and spirituality and returned home with some beautiful art work in differing mediums.  She also enjoys science fiction and is a computer whiz!