Giving the gift of self: Sister Carol Meyers

For Sister of Providence Carol Meyers (formerly Sister Michaeleen), “Life has been full of great adventures and countless dividends” during the more than 69 years she has followed the path of Providence traced out for her by God.

She has ministered during that time as an elementary school teacher, a Montessori educator, parish minister and visitor to the elderly.

Saying yes

With the enthusiasm of a person who has said “yes” to many invitations from her Provident God along the way, Sister Carol is looking forward to what the future may hold.

Carol grew up in Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Chicago. She entered the Sisters in Providence in 1957. She professed perpetual vows in August 1964.

Now ministering as a parish volunteer and parish council member, literacy tutor and Montessori school substitute, Sister Carol proudly notes that she has taught as a full-time teacher at every level from elementary school through college except for the high school level.

Sister Carol says that one of the most memorable moments of all her ministries was when “one of my youngest pupils asked me with great earnestness, ‘Are you Maria Montessori?’”

Being Providence

Sister Carol holds a bachelor’s degree in education (Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College), a master’s degree in early childhood development (Indiana State University), and a master’s in adult education (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis).

“In my ministry now, I try to participate in the life of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin parish.” This parish was formed in recent years when the Archdiocese of Chicago, as part of its planning process, joined the parishes of St. Cyprian in River Grove and of St. Celestine Parish in neighboring Elmwood Park to form a new parish which they named in honor of Sisters of Providence Foundress Saint Mother Theodore Guerin.

“I wanted to be part of the new parish so I could do whatever I could as a Sister of Providence to help it succeed,” Sister Carol said.

Sister Carol serves as a Eucharistic Minister and regularly visits homebound parishioners. She serves on the parish council, is part of the women’s group and in other ways tries to listen and to assist the parishioners to experience “the Providence of God at work in the life of their parish and in their daily lives.”

What will come next? Sister Carol replies simply, “whatever Providence asks.”

Originally published in the summer 2023 issue of HOPE magazine.