Sister Nora Sweeney
Sister Nora Sweeney, a member of the Daughters of CharitY, serves the poor of the Niagara Falls area in a health care clinic of Mt. St. Mary's Hospital, Lewiston NY as an outreach worker.
“There was a tremendous need in the area for a place where the poor could receive help and feel at home,” says Sister Nora. “Through our daily presence here, we are able to provide not only for their practical needs, but we are also able to affirm their dignity as gifts from God,” she adds. In this difficult economy, more and more are in need of services to maintain and provide for their families.
Sister Nora previously worked at the Roarke Center, Troy New York where she and the staff there provided meals, training and a variety of referral services to nearly 100 people each week.
Sister Nora, originally from Queens, New York, became acquainted with the Daughters of Charity not long after earning her undergraduate degree in social work. “I would say that my first impression of the Daughters was very positive,” says Sister Nora. “At the time I was discerning my future and what I saw in the Daughters was an emphasis on prayer, community life and a spirit of Joy,” she said. “They were so supportive of me and created room for me to ask questions and learn more about their life.”
When it comes to advice to those considering religious life today, Sister Nora is very practical. “Believe in yourself and be confident that God will lead you to the exact right place where your gifts will be put to use,” she said.
