In honor of National Catholic Sisters Week, Show me a sign posed the question "What inspires you about religious life today?" to women religious in our community. Here's what Sister Janet Fischer, a retired-yet-volunteering-everywhere-in-Claxton-Georgia Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, has to say.
![Sister Janet Fischer purple hat](/uploads/content_files/images/S%20Janet%20Fischer%20purple%20hat.jpg)
Sister Janet engaged in "Lenten Gospel Reflections" (image courtesy Kadee Dasher)
As I recall I spent at least five or more years fighting God about going to the convent, about becoming a religious sister. Looking back as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration I now realize God could not have given me a greater Gift. There are so many things that continue to inspire me:
![S-Janet-Fischer-third-from-left](/uploads/content_files/images/S%20Janet%20Fischer%20cook-off%20fundraiser.jpg)
Sister Janet joins St. Christopher Catholic Church's chili cook-off team for a cancer fundraiser (image courtesy Sarah Gove, "Claxton Enterprise").
~ The justice and peace issues that women religious are a part of: we stand with the folks on the margins of society.
~ The young sisters with their willingness to share their God-given gifts.
~ The simplicity of the life style and the concern for Earth and all creation.
~ The trust lay people put in me with their personal lives ... this really inspires me.
![S-Janet-Fischer-group](/uploads/content_files/images/S%20Janet%20Fischer%20group.jpg)
Gleaning "inspiration," Sister Janet continues to serve the community of Claxton in retirement (image courtesy Connie Mitchell).
*Do you know someone experiencing discernment of religious life? We invite you to share this link, www.fspa.org/showmeasign, and join the conversation.