VOCATIONS Sister’s corner
Her vocation is a joyful expression of God’s love By Mary Cottingham South Texas Catholic
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MARY COTTINGHAM | STC
he was a Catholic Men’s Association leader and a Small ister Delphine E. Apinjoh, from the Sisters of St. Christian Community leader. Her mom served in the Ann (SSA), exudes the kind of confidence and Catholic Women’s Association, which is the equivavivacious joy that attracts people, young and lent of Catholic Daughters of America here in the U.S. old alike. Before the pandemic, Sister Delphine “They made sure that we had all our sacraments and spent most of her time helping at Most Precious even enrolled us into different church groups,” Sister Blood Parish, ministering to the homebound, teaching Delphine said. “The entire family was really involved.” Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, coordinating with Her vocation journey began after receiving her first the office of youth ministry and singing in the choir. Holy Communion. Her mother enrolled her in the Nowadays, she teaches catechism virtually – to over 100 Cadets of Mary, a Cameroonian youth group. “There youth. Her exuberance in ministering to youth comes we learned about the from a strong sense of example of our Blessed family, service and a Mother – her faith, her solid faith foundation. obedience, her love,” Born into a truly she said. dedicated and faithful Cameroon, girls Catholic family, Sisin Cadets of Mary ter Delphine feels that wear uniforms that her family nurtured resemble blue habits, her loving relationship so Sister Delphine with God. “My parent’s already looked like a Christian living was the sister. The group was best gift God ever gave in constant contact me. They brought us with the Religious Sisall into that faith,” she ters of St. Ann, whom said. she admired for their Her homeland is dedication, smiles Africa. She hails from and tireless service. an English speaking When they asked the (Anglophone) commuCadets, “Who wants nity in Cameroon. She to become a religious?’ is the third of seven She raised her hand children from parents, without even knowIgnatius and Philoing what it meant, but mena Obejun Apinjoh Sister Delphine Apinjoh touches the St. Joseph and young Jesus every time she thought (now deceased). Today, statue at the entrance of St. Joseph convent where the Sisters of about it, she felt at she connects with St. Ann reside. peace. her siblings through At age 16, she was in charge of the young catechetWhatsApp Messenger – sometimes, they even pray a ical group and helped the Sisters of St. Ann with their novena together. chores, so when her chaplain asked her if she wanted Her parents attended Mass daily and served in differto pursue a life as a religious, her immediate response ent leadership roles in Christ the King Parish commuwas surprising. nity. Her father was Parish Pastoral Council President; M AY T H E Y A L L B E O N E
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SPRING 2021
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