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Scherber’s Time at Convent Leads Back to Parish Ministry
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July 12, 2023NOTE: This article appears in the Summer 2023 issue of the DISCIPLE newsletter. If you aren't receiving DISCIPLE, call the parish office at 763-497-2745 to register or update your contact information.
Earlier this summer, our parish welcomed Anna Scherber as our new Young Adults and Youth Formation Associate. Anna has a degree in psychology from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and has served with NET Ministries and worked as a youth minister for St. Raphael Catholic Church in Crystal. Most recently, she spent seven months discerning religious life with the Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus.
“The first time I experienced a possible call to religious life was in high school, however, I completely pushed it aside and ignored it,” she says. “I would attend Steubenville Youth Conferences every summer and at the end, the priest would do an ‘altar call’ of sorts for any students who had felt a call to priesthood or religious life. Every year, I would notice a tug on my heart to stand up, but I so desperately wanted to be married that
I didn’t respond to that tug. It wasn’t until I was working in youth ministry that I finally opened my heart to the possibility of religious life.”
At the time, someone close to Anna asked her if she had ever considered religious life as a vocation. That was the nudge she needed to actually bring the question to the Lord and seek his will.
“There were six postulants in my class, and it was a joy to walk with them each day,” says Anna. “We would pray together throughout the day, eat meals together, enjoy community time, enter into silence, and be involved in parishes and schools. I learned so much about myself and about my relationship with Jesus during this time.
“A huge part of discernment is simply experiencing life wherever the Lord may be leading you. For me, I knew I wouldn’t be able to close the door to religious life without truly and fully experiencing it. While there is mystery in entering the convent and in leaving the convent, I truly believe that no time is ever wasted when we’re following Jesus!”
Anna knew she wanted to return to ministry in some form, and she knows Bob Swift and the Youth Ministry staff at St. Michael—but it seemed unlikely that a position here would be open anytime soon.
“Clearly, the Lord had other plans!” she says.
In her new role, Anna serves as:- Northwest Catholic Young Adult Coordinator, ministering to young adults (age 18-35) in St. Albert, St. Henry, and St. Michael parishes—a role launched by Youth Ministry intern Gabe Thorp, who is leaving to discern religious life with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.
- STMA Catholic Youth Ministry Associate, working with the Youth Ministry team to help lead children and teens closer to Christ—also replacing Gabe.
- Faith Formation Coordinator, focusing on K-6 Family of Faith, First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation, and Vacation Bible School (VBS)—roles currently filled by Andrea Zachman.
“I am most excited about working with multiple age groups,” Anna says. “It will be such a blessing to walk side by side with families, youth, and young adults as we grow together in relationship and faith!”
LEARN MORE
Want to learn more about the Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus or vocations to religious life for women? Visit handmaidsoftheheartofjesus.org or 10000vocations.org/religious-life-for-women.html.
