A memoir by Sister Colleen Crossen
In June 1975, I visited the Felician Sisters of Coraopolis, thinking that perhaps I’d like to become a nun. To my surprise, that particular day was more about finding my life’s work.
After a visit to the motherhouse, a sister took me to the McGuire Home for Exceptional Children in Beaver County.
The first child I saw was about 4 years old and still in a crib. He had an enlarged head. The little boy was hydrocephalic — a rare condition that causes buildup of fluid in the brain.
The moment I saw him, I knew where God was calling me.
I had been attending Community College of Allegheny County (South Campus), studying child development. I knew I wanted to work with children, but did not know just how.
The moment I saw that little boy, it became crystal clear that I needed to pursue a degree in special education.
Eventually, I applied and was accepted at Slippery Rock University to begin my studies in special and elementary education.
While at Slippery Rock, I met several Sisters of St. Joseph, who were campus ministers there. They invited me to their home in Baden, and as it turned out, I became a nun after all.
But as they say in Ireland, “that’s another story.”
I completed my degree in 1979 and, as a Sister of St. Joseph, I taught in many schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Fast forward 32 years later to 2011. I’m sitting at a faculty day of reflection at St. James School in Sewickley. The principal has asked each of us to share why we became teachers.
I begin to tell the story of the little boy from the McGuire Home who inspired me and I notice a teacher at the end of the table in tears. A moment only God could offer followed:
“Sister, what year did you say that was?” Mrs. Wojtkowski, our school’s Spanish, social studies and religion teacher asked me.
“1975,” I answered.
“That was my son, Scotty,” she said. “He died three years later. . .
“I never dreamed that my Scotty would inspire anyone. But my daughter has always said that Scotty is the reason that she became a doctor.
“And now, you tell me that he is the reason you became a teacher.”
As the two of us embraced, I was aware that there was not a dry eye around the table.
To this day, Mrs. Wojtkowski strongly believes that Scotty’s life “influenced many” and that “he was sent to this earth for that purpose.”
Sister Colleen’s memoir was published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on June 25, 2024. She also spoke movingly about her experience in a video conversation during National Vocation Week. Watch it here.