A warm welcome to Sister Liceria

By Daniela Luci

Despite being new to St. Joseph Hill this year, Sister Liceria Sayon has quickly become one of our favorite faces to see in the hallways.

Sister is a ray of sunshine and she always has a beaming smile for all to see. She has made such an impact on Hilltoppers in a short time, encouraging us to serve in our communities and to know God loves us for it. I had the pleasure of talking with Sister to get to know her better, and I wanted to share some of the highlights of our talk with the rest of the Hill family.

Q. What made you want to become a religious sister?

A. To become what God wants you to be doesn’t happen overnight. Becoming a religious Sister wasn’t on my bucket list. The desire to serve, to share the blessings, to look after others, especially the less fortunate, stem from the examples my parents showed my siblings and me.

I grew up on a farm, where its blessings were always divided between what was to be sold and what was to be shared. The desire to serve was always in my heart, but how and where took a long and rough journey. My education from a public school, Catholic schools throughout the Philippines, as well as many volunteer works I did, helped me sort out things in my life.

Prayers, staying in tune with God, and receiving the Eucharist played the most important parts in my decision. I did consider married life, but it didn’t seem to fit me deep down inside. The thought of becoming a religious sister came to me when I was in high school. I didn’t pay much attention to it or speak about it.

Like many teenagers, I enjoyed my life. My teenage experiences were always coupled with more volunteer work on and outside the school campus even after college. I didn’t choose this life of being a religious sister. God did.

Once I realized that this was what God is calling me to do, I prayed for a sign since I wasn’t entirely sure. The sign came about at an unexpected time. I was teaching in an all-girls Catholic high school in the Philippines, when from my window I saw a religious sister entering our gate. I couldn’t help but ask for a substitute. I spoke with the visiting religious sister and she gave me a brochure of the Sisters of St. John the Baptist. The rest is history. This year is my 34th year as a member of the Sisters of St. John the Baptist.

Q. What did you take part in before you came to St. Joseph Hill that made you the person you are today?

A. I taught in elementary schools in both the Archdiocese of New York and Newark for 15 years and was the campus minister and service coordinator at St. John Villa Academy for 8 years. In my religious community of the Sisters of St. John the Baptist, I served as the vocation director. I guided women who might have a desire to become a Religious Sister like me.

Q. What interested you about coming to Hill and becoming the Campus Minister and Service Director?

A. I really didn’t expect that I would be a part of such a great school this year. I didn’t know that there was an opening for Campus Minister and Service Director.

This past July, I received a phone call from Mrs. Molluzzo. The caller ID indicated a call from St. Joseph Hill Academy.

Before I picked up the receiver, my mind was filled up with who, what, and why. My heart beat so fast.

After a short introduction, I found out that Mr. Darrup, a former colleague of mine at St. John Villa Academy, and a current St. Joseph Hill Academy religious studies teacher for sophomores and seniors, had given Mrs. Molluzzo my name. I felt that that phone call was the work of the Holy Spirit and an answer to my prayer. God truly is full of many surprises!

Before I committed myself to coming here, I had a couple of meetings with Mrs. Molluzzo.

I also had several meetings with my provincial superior, the head of the Sisters of St. John the Baptist here in the United States. These meetings and my prayers put my heart at peace that this was God’s will that I will say YES to serve as the campus minister and service director here at Hill.

Q. What are your favorite things about working at Hill?

A. I love that I can start my day at 7 in the morning saying my prayers in the beautiful chapel. This makes the rest of my day my favorite. The smiles, the hellos, the good morning and afternoon greetings I receive, as well as the unexpected situations add to the excitement of my day.

I also love when students come to my office, whether to ask a question or just say hello. It is one of the many ways I meet them in person.

Q. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

A. I would like to share my thoughts on making the world a better place. Young people should be empowered to volunteer for not-for-profit organizations and become involved in their worship places. They should recognize and respect the dignity of a human person, take care of the environment, and give back to their school and communities.

Q. Who is the person you look up to most and why?

A. I look up to the Blessed Trinity (God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit). I see every single person created by God.

Q. What was your favorite school subject?

A. Science.

Q. What is your favorite food?

A. Filipino food.

Q. Do you have any hobbies or hidden talents?

A. I love gardening ... planting both flowers and vegetables.

Q. Do you have any siblings?

A. I have two sisters and a brother. They all live in the southern part of the Philippines.

Q. What is your favorite color?

A. Different tints and shades of green.

Q. What is a message that you would like to send to the girls at Hill?

A. Be a woman you are created and called to be. If God is calling you to serve him as a religious sister, open the ears of your heart and you will find peace and fulfillment because you are doing God’s will. To do God’s will is the best way to serve God, and the world.