Meet Our Women in Formation
Get to know the newest members of our novitiate community, Sister Mary Flick and Clare Bass.
Meet Sister Mary Flick, Novice
I am the oldest of four children. My parents, Bob and Mary Flick, are active members of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Parish. A native St. Louisan, I grew up in North St. Louis County and graduated from Rosary High School (the most important information I can share here). I earned my bachelor’s degree in communications at Maryville College and my master’s degree in religious studies from Saint Louis University. I have worked at SLU for nearly 24 years; the first six in public relations and the last 18 sharing the Jesuit mission and ministering to faculty and staff.
Having played team sports all my life, I now am an avid bicyclist. I also play a good game of Scrabble. I’m a writer and faithful friend. I enjoy a good conversation over a good cup of coffee.
I had never heard of the CSJs while I was growing up. But once in adulthood, and more immersed in the larger St. Louis community, I seemed to encounter CSJs in the most likely and unlikely places. I guess you could say, I got “caught in the CSJ web,” woven throughout St. Louis.
I am attracted to the CSJ’s Ignatian roots, their immersion in the community through service to the dear neighbor, and their practical way of approaching the real needs and issues of the day.
I look forward to becoming better acquainted with the sisters and the story of this remarkable community through my study of its history, my involvement with its works and my growing relationships with its members.
Meet Clare Bass, Candidate
I was born/raised in Biloxi, Miss., where my mom Susie, dad Mike, sister Michele and nephew Dylan live. My large extended family is spread across the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I attended St. James Elementary School and Mercy Cross Catholic High School. I then went to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and Mississippi State University (MSU) where I graduated with a degree in political science and a master’s degree in public policy and public administration.
I love watching pro and college football! My favorite teams are the New Orleans Saints, Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. I love to read and to learn new things. I also like to play just about any sport, especially tennis.
When I studied at MSU, Father Kent Boulds, vocations director of the Jackson Diocese, would talk to our Catholic Student Association once a year about vocations. He mentioned Sisters Kate Regan and Sarah Heger were Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet based in Ripley and if any young women wanted to talk to them, we could get their contact information. So I did and met with them in Ripley for a weekend. A couple of months after a few visits to Ripley, I made it up to the motherhouse for a visit. The Web site has been a major help along the way as well by allowing me to show my family and friends on the coast the motherhouse and information about the community.
I believe the CSJs have a great spirit. I feel called to the CSJs in order to join in the charism of helping the dear neighbor. I hope to continue in the great tradition of helping the dear neighbor.
I look forward to all of the new opportunities I will have to serve in ministry. I also look forward to getting to know, live with and work with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet!
