DRAPER — Two Discalced Carmelite Nuns came to visit Holy Cross Sister Celine Dounies’ fourth grade class Feb. 8, at St. John the Baptist Elementary School, making it a very special day. They were invited to come to St. John the Baptist to speak to the students. The nuns want people to know that the Carmelite way of life is a wonderful and fulfilling life when God calls you to it. They said few people these days listen for God’s call and we would like to help awaken them by talking about how we live and pray at the monastery. The Nuns of the Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Monastery in Holladay live a cloistered life of prayer. They only leave the monastery for doctor appointments or for emergency medical care. Carmelite Sister Mary Joseph Whipperman has been named the "out" nun who takes care of grocery runs and other errands. Most of the nuns are in their senior years and know for their mission to continue others must follow. Because it is a wonderfully special life with God, the Carmelite nuns hope others who are called will listen and not miss out on this glorious opportunity. Few choose the life of a cloistered nun, but as Carmelite Mother Maureen Goodwin explained to the children, "If God chooses you to this life, you could find nothing better. "If I had my life to relive my life, I would choose nothing different," she said. "I know that I am where God wants me to be and it is a wonderful life." Mother Maureen said she wanted to join the Carmelites while she was still in high school, but the rules of the monastery insisted she finish school before joining. Immediately following her high school graduation, she informed the Carmelites she was ready to join them. "I was a bit surprised to find that joining was not an automatic thing, and that one must be selected by the other nuns," said Mother Maureen. "I was 17 years old when I was accepted, and began my six-year process to take my final vows." Mother Maureen explained to the children that God speaks to us when we take the time to listen without the distractions of the television, radio, and modern life in general. "This is why we live a cloistered life," said Mother Maureen. "So we can communicate better with God. Prayers are very important and the world needs our prayers. God calls some of us to the religious life as a sister or a priest, but we must listen for the call." Mother Maureen is one of the original founders of the Carmelite Monastery in Holladay in 1950. Carmelite Sister Teresa Margaret Uhlig, the youngest of seven Carmelite sisters, accompanied Mother Maureen to St. John the Baptist Elementary School. Sr. Teresa explained that she was called to the Carmelites at the very early age of 13. Her parents immigrated from Vietnam to escape political persecution and they were adamant that Teresa complete her education including going to college. After Sr. Teresa graduated from Highland High School in Salt Lake City, she attended the University of Utah and completed her degree in accounting. Like Mother Maureen, she too, immediately went to the Carmelites after completing her education.
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