Sister Vicky Mobley

Sister Vicky grew up on a ranch in the mountains of Colorado. Her father and uncle co-owned the ranch and lived in separate homes on the land. Vicky has a brother and her uncle raised a daughter and three sons there, so even though they were very isolated from the rest of the world, loneliness was not a problem. Vicky helped with all the farm chores, driving the tractor and riding her horse after the cows. She spent a lot of time in nature and developed a sense of God there.

Vicky entered college during the turbulent 60s. Fortunately, our Sister Mary Himens, who was on staff at the time, noticed changes in Vicky, including falling grades, and had a heart-to-heart with her, setting Vicky back on the right path. Vicky decided to enter the RCIA program to become Catholic, with Sister Mary as her godmother. Even after baptism, though, Vicky felt an emptiness that needed to be filled. She spoke with Sister Mary, who had moved to Illinois, and was invited to go spend three weeks with the Sisters there. Vicky returned to Colorado knowing that she wanted to join the Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary.

Sister Vicky recognizes three mentors in her life. At the top of the list is, of course, Sister Mary Himens. Vicky’s free spirit was not easily subdued, but Sister Mary was always there for her and loved her through it all. Sister June Hoffman, who was her formation director, also stands out as a mentor. When Sister Vicky had trouble dealing with some of the things she was asked to do by other Sisters, Sister June told her to “just say 'Yes, Sister' and then do what you need to do." Sister Vicky continues to follow this advice. And then there was Sister Agnes Cunningham, who was always kind and gentle in answering Vicky’s questions, accepting her and freeing her to share openly.

Sister Vicky says that all her ministries were fulfilling but in different ways. She was especially impacted by her experience in a L’Arche Group Home, where adults, both with and without intellectual disabilities, live together sharing friendship and building a faith community. Here, Sister Vicky came to a deeper appreciation of the fact that we are all gifted and have something to offer to others. She also learned what it means to live in an intentional community and can now appreciate that in religious life.

It was Family Love that initially drew Vicky to the Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary. She could see family unity among the Sisters in the way that they ministered to one another. She finds joy living in community. It gives her a sense of being a part of something bigger than herself.