Saying Yes to What You’ve Been Seeking: Meet Sr. Karin

“Many years ago in Germany, I considered religious life,” recalls Sr. Karin Nuernberg. “But then I thought, ‘No, I can’t be who I am there,’ so as far as I was concerned, it was ‘been there, done that, it’s not for me.’ I wasn’t really looking for religious life, but it found me many years later.”

Sr. Karin believes that it was God who brought her to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, where she is currently serving as vocation director. In this role, Sr. Karin guides women considering religious life to discern their calling. She also serves as a spiritual director at the Center for Spiritual Development when the ministry offers retreats, as she was their program and marketing director before becoming the vocation director. Not only that, but Sr. Karin also serves on the Board of Trustees of St. Jude Medical Center and contributes to several Sisters of St. Joseph congregational committees.

Her full story begins in Munich, Germany, where she was born. Sr. Karin has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Germany through her American mother and German father.  As a young adult, Sr. Karin studied social work and philosophy in her hometown. During a gap year before college, she served at a group home for children. Sr. Karin’s kind heart and educational background led her down a path of service for the marginalized. For her college internship, she continued to help children who were underprivileged either because of physical or mental disability.  Early in her career, she worked at an institution for developmentally disabled adults for many years, which at times posed dangers to the caregivers.  At this point in her life, a friend encouraged Sr. Karin to research L’Arche. In doing so, Sr. Karin discovered they were looking to establish the first L’Arche location in California. L’Arche is an international faith-based organization dedicated to setting up communities for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. There are 150 L’Arche communities all over the world, each providing their members with the support network they need to live a spiritually fulfilling life. With her experience working with people with disabilities and an interest in religion, it was a natural fit for Sr. Karin to get involved. L’Arche Wavecrest opened its first location in 2004, and Sr. Karin served as a house coordinator throughout her time there.

It wasn’t until L’Arche Wavecrest received a call from the Sisters of St. Joseph, asking if two of their novices could do their ministry there, that Sr. Karin became acquainted with the Sisters. After developing a rapport of friendship with the Sisters and attending Mass with them, Sr. Karin sensed that the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange was a wonderful place for her. While she loved working at L’Arche Wavecrest, she was in awe of the spirituality that the Sisters of St. Joseph shared. She felt a call and, after discerning for more than a year, entered the congregation.

Fast forward many years, and Sr. Karin is now guiding people in their discernment toward religious life as the congregation’s vocation director. Everyone’s calling is unique, though Sr. Karin can share relatable experiences.

“I walk with women who are interested in seeing if religious life is right for them, specifically with our congregation,” Sr. Karin explains. “Walking with them can be as simple as fielding calls from people wondering what you need to do to become a sister.”  There are some boxes to check. You have to be baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church for starters. Beyond the criteria, there’s an exploration of one’s calling. It can be a long process from “being interested” to candidacy.  “I help people find their path in life,” says Sr. Karin.

Sr. Karin is supported by a full-time Vocation Promotion Assistant and a few Sisters. Together, they make up the Vocation Team. The team hosts an education and discernment series that assists interested women in their perceived call to religious life. It could be with the Sisters of St. Joseph, another religious community, or something else entirely. Additionally, team members may travel to schools, parishes, and national conferences to spread the word about the Sisters of St. Joseph and their life and ministry.

“A beauty of walking with someone is to know that there are people who feel the same way about dedicating their lives to God in a religious congregation. To walk with somebody and help them find their way, that is the most rewarding part of my ministry,” said Sr. Karin.

Vocation ministry is always active, yet Sr. Karin enjoys many other interests too: taking a relaxing walk outdoors, reading, gardening, traveling, and meeting up with friends for dinner. In her ministry, Sr. Karin reminds herself that though you might not see instant results, the Spirit continues to move within people. The seeds planted today may be revealed years later.

“I love the openness of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange and our whole spirituality,” Sr. Karin replied when asked about what she loves about the community. “It’s just that sense of ‘this is me’ that I can’t find anywhere else.”