Meet Sr. Suzanne Homeyer!

Sr. Suzanne Homeyer, VHM

My earliest contact with the Visitation Sisters was at a Newman Center in Michigan. As a lay person I served as a member of the Pastoral Team, devoting most of my time to liturgy, RCIA and peace and justice programming. The two priests on staff were Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. For me, these men exemplified Salesian Spirituality in many ways, and when given the opportunity to meet women who espoused this same spirituality, some deep bonds were formed. Their example of living a life of prayer and community and service to those living in the inner city of Minneapolis immediately resonated with the “more” I sought in my own life.  At the age of 46, I entered the Visitation Sisters of Minneapolis, becoming their first novice and new member.

“The [Visitation Sisters’] example of living a life of prayer and community and service to those living in the inner city of Minneapolis immediately resonated with the “more” I sought in my own life.  At the age of 46, I entered the Visitation Sisters of Minneapolis, becoming their first novice and new member.” – Sr. Suzanne Homeyer

Sr. Suzanne and collaborator at The NetWork for Better Futures

I professed final vows in 2002. To honor our order’s 400th birthday, I served on the committee to celebrate this anniversary and was also part of a pilgrimage to our French monasteries to mark this special year. The power of seeing firsthand how others live our charism was tremendous and makes me realize that I have chosen the right place to live out my commitment as a Visitation Sister. I contribute to the community as bookkeeper and field trip organizer. Water color painting, visiting museums and reading mysteries are ways I like to relax. I have many friends around the world from my “life before Minneapolis” and am a practitioner of the lost art of handwritten letters! I admit to using e-mail as well, but prefer the old-fashioned pen and usually notebook paper.

“I lived in a tent in Prescott National Forest while working as a radio newscaster for an NBC affiliate. This was an exciting job and my ‘home life’ was really so dependent upon things like sudden rainstorms, campsite neighbors and late breaking news. I learned to rely on the grace and strength of God, my own gifts and creativity and an openness to new relationships in order to feel fulfilled.”

A Visitation Embrace: Sr. Suzanne and Vis Companion, Jody Tigges

I have always enjoyed meeting people and seeing different parts of the world. Immediately after graduate studies I packed up all my belongings and, with my dog and a good friend, and headed West.  I lived in a tent in Prescott National Forest while working as a radio newscaster for an NBC affiliate.  This was an exciting job and my “home life” was really so dependent upon things like sudden rainstorms, campsite neighbors and late breaking news. I learned to rely on the grace and strength of God, my own gifts and creativity and an openness to new relationships in order to feel fulfilled.

Working my way through college found me pulling second shift duties at a nursing home for sick and elderly nuns and running a women’s dorm switchboard on weekends. This was in the days before cell phones and when most religious groups had their own nursing facilities.

Part-time jobs were always part of my life while “working for the Church” as a campus minister. As a coffee shop manager responsible for opening in the early morning and a closing shift server in an ice-cream parlor, I had many opportunities to meet and greet others God has put in my life.

Persons who have inspired me at various stages in my life are the earth-friendly poets Wendel Berry and Jessica Powers, the very ecumenical and fun-loving Pope John XXIII, and Daniel Berrigan and Dorothy Day for their faith-filled witness to the Church from the inside.

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As part of our commitment to making the Visitation Sisters’ lives and stories visible and audible, we feature some of their biographical information here, including part of their discernment narrative in becoming a Visitation Sister of north Minneapolis. We welcome your responses and own stories: What has shaped you? What has lead you to the Visitation Monastery and Salesian charism?