- February 23, 2026 Sister Stories
Sister Mary Flick marked a significant milestone on Nov. 22, celebrating the fullness of life she has known in her first 15 years as a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ). Surrounded by her CSJ sisters, associates, family and friends in Holy Family Chapel at the Carondelet Motherhouse in St. Louis, Sister Mary encouraged hope amid the darkness during uncertain times with her theme, “Hope in the Dark; Light of the World.”
The event coincided with the Feast of Venerable Jeanne Fontbonne, known as Mother St. John, who re-established the Sisters of St. Joseph community after the French Revolution. In her opening remarks, Sister Mary likened the similarities of our current times with those of Mother St. John, whose story of hope and resilience continues to inspire.
“It’s very real that there’s so much unknown at this time; these are very dark times in many different ways,” says Sister Mary. “We have to be that beacon of light, that hope, as we face these dark times. Jesus is the light of the world, but Jesus also calls us to be the light of the world. And we are that light together.”
For Sister Mary, it was her hope that celebrating her lifelong commitment at 15 years would be as much for her sisters as for herself. “I felt it would be a great way for us, together, to celebrate this life we live and encourage each other in these trying times,” she says.
The celebration was also a full-circle moment, bringing together family and friends from all corners of her journey that led her to where she is today. Members of the choir from St. Vincent de Paul Parish, where she’s been a member for more than 30 years, led the celebration in song. “It was just a great celebration of the merging of all the many pieces of my life.”
When reflecting on her first 15 years as a Sister of St. Joseph, “change” is the operative word. “Things just continue to change and change and change,” she notes. And the other invitation, as she calls it, is to let go. While this invitation has been challenging, with the letting go of beloved sisters who have died, Fontbonne University’s closure, and a number of other changes through the years, Sister Mary embraces that change is necessary. “The reality is that there is not going to be an end to the change — that is the way we operate, that is what the future holds," she says. "So, I, we need to be flexible and to give thanks every day for what we've received, and that we may be open to what’s coming.”
As for what is coming, Sister Mary draws encouragement from her involvement with newer members of the U.S. Federation. "Yes, religious life is going to be different. Yes, we're going to be smaller. But yes, we're going to continue on," she affirms. "There's a great compassion and a great enthusiasm and commitment on the part of the newer members to continue this life that we've embraced."
While Sister Mary is "a class of one,” unlike earlier generations of classes entering religious life with 60-70 sisters, she has found much support, love, affirmation and encouragement in her local community at the motherhouse — "a lifelong search" fulfilled.
Sister Mary continues to serve in multiple capacities, working with SJEM on formation, providing spiritual direction ("a wonderful gift," she notes), caring for her 93-year-old mother, and serving on various provincial committees.
When asked what she looks forward to in the coming years, Sister Mary's response is humble and open: "I feel that I've been blessed with so many opportunities in my life and so many gifts. I look forward to sharing those opportunities and gifts that I'm privileged to share."
Often walking through the Heritage Room at the motherhouse, Sister Mary looks at the panels honoring sisters who came before her. "I just stand in awe of the women who have gone before me, on whose shoulders I stand," she reflects. "Sometimes I say to myself, 'Wow, how did I ever get here? Who am I to be following in these footsteps?' But God calls for a reason, and I continue to be open to exploring those reasons. It’s a great life.”