I was raised in a Catholic family but as I approached the teen-age years I soon fell away from my faith. I lived in sin and darkness and ignored Christ for many years. I spent most of my life without Christ.

Something told me to go. After a three-hour wait, I was rushed past her relics so quickly there was no time to even pray the prayer. I went home disappointed. I didn't know my life was about to change! Forever.

That night I had a dream; a nun in a full black habit (I couldn't see a face) walked up to me, leaned over and said, "You will be healed." I kept the dream in my heart. I didn't know it then, but now realize it was St. Therese and she meant I would be spiritually healed.

In February 2000 I was planning a trip to Israel and the Holy Land. I had some fear about going so I promised God that for a safe trip I would pay back with some kind of community work.

Shortly after my safe return I picked up The Michigan Catholic, which I never read. There was an ad for St. Aloysius Parish seeking volunteer help serving coffee and donuts to the homeless during Sunday morning Scripture study.

The following Sunday I was a new volunteer and was literally welcomed with open arms. I didn't know it that day but I was about to embark on one of the most incredible journeys of my life!

I didn't go to church on a regular basis so I would go to the center to volunteer and leave. Every week, Fr. Mark Soehner, OFM, would invite me to stay for Mass and encouraged me to experience this community. One Sunday, as I was about to get in my car – and get away – he asked again. To my surprise, I replied, "Yes!" Before I could get through the front doors I was greeted with a big bear hug, several people introduced themselves and welcomed me. The homily was powerful, the choir was awesome and it seemed that the whole congregation joyfully joined in!

I came back the next week to see if this place was for real. And the next week, and the next — and before I knew, it for the first time in my life I couldn't wait to come to church on Sundays. I thought I was only coming to volunteer, but through the lifestyle of the friars and the love and support of this community, I began to find myself. And I found Jesus.

Then something incredible happened to me … I fell in love with Jesus!

God was inviting me to do more with my life. He has put a burning desire in my heart to give my life to Him and follow Him wherever He leads me!

I am not sure exactly where God's call will lead me, what I am sure of is: God has called me out of the darkness into His own wonderful light, and into His love.

There is a line that has special meaning to me: Don't let your past dictate who you are…but let it be a part of who you have become!

Several people mentioned I may have a vocation and then, I began actively discerning a religious vocation when I saw a story in The Michigan Catholic of Laurie (now Sr. Veronica) who entered the Felicians to become a religious sister at the age of 47. As I read the article I began to realize that God does call people of all ages and of all walks of life. I went on my first discernment weekend two weeks later. One year later I became an affiliate with the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters. Fran Bozzo is now a candidate with the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters.