Fall 2013: Meet Amanda Raderstorf!

Amanda Raderstorf was accepted into our community this past summer as a candidate. Amanda is from Logansport, IN, and is currently working full-time as a nurse aide. We have had to temporarily postpone her entrance until she is able to pay off her outstanding debt.

On June 27, 2013 I received an email that I never thought could give me so many emotions all at once. The email was from Mother Christina of the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker, and it contained news that had God had been preparing me to hear for 26 ½ years. I had been accepted into the community as a candidate. Even now, writing this brings tears to my eyes; that day, though, I had tears and a massive amount of joy and peace. I’d like to tell you how I got to this moment. 

I felt the call in my heart to religious life as a teenager, but never pursued it. It stayed with me as I discerned other ways the Lord could call me to serve in life. Everything always came back around to the thoughts of religious life that I had on my heart for years. Finally, I realized that I could not continue to put off the thoughts and feelings I had; I had to discern more fully, I had to listen more fully. This is when the Lord led me to the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker and showed me where I needed to be.

Although I have been accepted into the community, I cannot enter the convent until I’m debt-free. Between living expenses and not having health insurance, I have incurred quite a bit of debt. This, coupled with some educational debt, is currently preventing me from following the vocation that God has called me to.  I have been accepted into the Laboure Society, a non-profit organization that assists young men and women with their fundraising to pay off educational debts in order to enter the seminary or religious life. Unfortunately, educational costs are only a portion of my outstanding debt and I will still have to make up the remaining balance, which is about $20,000. So far, I have raised $1,200 towards my goal. I am continuing to work full-time as a nurse aide and fundraising as much as I can. I’m trusting in the Providence of God, and I know that He will make it possible for me to follow the vocation that He has called me to.

Amanda is working very hard to pay off her debt, and we are doing all we can to help her. Unfortunately, we are unable to pay off her debt ourselves. If, after prayerful consideration, you feel that you can make a donation to the community in order to help Amanda, please contact us using the information below. God bless you!

Mother Mary Christina, SJW

Contributions may be mailed to:

Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker

ATTN: Candidate Fund

1 Saint Joseph Lane

Walton, KY 41094