Sister Eilis McCulloh, HM

Sister McCulloh is a member of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary. She grew up in Youngstown, OH and is an avid Cleveland Indians fan (growing up she wanted to be the Indians' shortstop!). She has called Cleveland home for the last five years, enjoying all the festivals, parades and other opportunities the city has to offer. She loves to swim, spend time with family and friends, travel, and do almost anything outside.

The youngest member in her community, Sister McCulloh relies on Giving Voice to "give me the peer community that I don't have… we share the same life experiences and don't have to explain the nuances of religious life to each other." She loves meeting sisters from other communities (new friends!) and participating in Giving Voice gatherings where they can dream and laugh together.

Every time Sister McCulloh has the opportunity to be around other younger sisters she is energized by the passions and dreams they have for the future of religious life. She says, "we don't know what it will look like and that's ok, we're excited to live it as it unfolds." She is grateful to be part of the "unfolding new" of religious life and meeting the needs of today in ways that are creative and life-giving.

Sister McCulloh is passionate about and inspired by the refugee clients she gets to journey alongside. "They've endured hardships that I could never imagine and still manage to greet each day with a smile and hope. They teach me far more than I will ever teach them," she notes. In addition to refugee and immigration advocacy, she works for systemic change in cities where racism, poverty, healthcare, etc. "leave many people on the margins."

Each morning Sister McCulloh centers herself in prayer and takes time to pray the Gospel and sit in quiet. A few years ago, an HM sister gave her the following lines to pray with and reflect on:

May I be filled with loving kindness.
May I be at peace.
May I be grateful.
May I be centered in God.

This summarizes her approach to prayer and her vocation as a member of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary.