Vocation Directors
Sister Rachel J. Blais
Hello, I am Sister Rachel J. Blais, and I entered the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in August 1986. As a Sister of Charity, I've had the opportunity to explore a variety of ministries.
I was a youth minister, high school religion teacher, and a campus minister for both high school students and college students. Before becoming a vocation director for my community, I was a campus minister for the Catholic Church for West Virginia University. As a campus minister, I planned service trips to Haiti, Jamaica, and West Virginia. All of these ministries have been rewarding.
Besides being a vocation director, I am responsible for RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) at St. Mary Church in Star City, West Virginia.
In December 2008, I completed a master’s in social work at West Virginia University, which will further allow me to help others in need. I also volunteer at two prisons in West Virginia and am a board member for Empty Bowls of Monongalia County.
As a vocation director, I look forward to helping you discern your call to religious life and possibly, the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill. Please feel free to contact me with your questions and thoughts about religious life.
Email: rachel.blais@gmail.com
Sister Barbara Ann Smelko and Sister Yong-Son Kim
Educators employ innovative thinking to achieve exceptional results. As educators, innovation is native to the Sisters of Charity. Innovative thought has led the sisters to a new vocation venture.
Sisters Barbara Ann Smelko and Yong-Son Kim have both graciously and willingly accepted assignment to initiate the vocation/retreat ministry program in Chicago in the role of co-directors.
The new program is targeted especially toward second generation Korean Catholic women and all women who may be interested in religious life. Sisters Barbara Ann and Yong-Son will make every effort to foster the vitality of the congregation now and in the future through their ministry.
Along with offering retreats for English speaking and Korean speaking Catholic women considering a vocation to religious life, Sisters Barbara Ann and Yong-Son will be offering affordable retreats for lay Catholics in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Sister Barbara Ann was most recently the Director of Music and Liturgy at Saint James the Apostle in New Bedford, Pennsylvania. She also celebrated her Golden Jubilee in July.
Sister Yong-Son is coming to Chicago following her term as First Councilor for the Provincial Council in Korea.