For Sister Fran Crosier the common saying, "God writes straight with crooked lines," sums up her life. She had several starts at religious life as anUrsuline Sister of Louisville, and she feels her call was special because it was "triple." The first time she stayed for one year and left to care for her ill mother; the second time she left because of her own illness. She remained connected with the Ursuline Sisters over the next 10 years and finally, in her mid-40s, she settled in for good as a vowed member.

From the beginning, Sister Fran was attracted to the Ursuline Sisters because of their simple life-style. They seemed down to earth, fun loving and prayerful. When she returned the final time, she was also attracted because of their ministries. Sister Fran's own ministry path has been varied; she taught elementary grades for a number of years and has her master's degree in library science. Sister Fran lights up when she talks about one of her present ministries. At Marian Home on the Ursuline Campus, she offers hand massage and assists residents with poetry writing and taking walks. She finds great satisfaction in this interchange with the residents.

Her other ministry in Louisville, Ky., is at the Jefferson County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center, also known as JADAC. In her spare time she volunteers at Baptist Hospital East. For Sister Fran, life is all about making connections with others. She does not talk about her ministry without also talking about her own recovery from addiction to alcohol. She believes that recovery goes hand in hand with spirituality and attributes her recovery to Ursuline spirituality and Alcoholics Anonymous. She has learned how important it is to stay close to God and to wear her faith "like a breastplate."

From Saint Angela Merici, the founder of the Ursuline Sisters, Sister Fran finds strength and encouragement in a favorite admonition: "Do something, get moving, be confident, risk new things, stick with it, get on your knees, then be ready for big surprises." Saint Angela appeals to Sister Fran because she worked among the people and was always there for everyone.

"God was working and present in my life all along. I feel like God was saying, 'You can run, but not too far.' My whole life has been completely turned around." Sister Fran is the first to admit that giving her life over to God has meant all the difference. It is God's grace that changed things. What were once hurts and frustrations are now blessings.