Sr. Sarah Harbaugh (above left) and Sr. Barbara Hudock, ASC regional leader, stand at the altar during Sr. Sarah’s Perpetual Profession of Vows on Dec. 6 in Hecker (Submitted photo).

Before a large gathering of friends, family and members of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, Sister Sarah Harbaugh on Dec. 6 celebrated her Perpetual Profession of Vows at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church in Hecker.

Sr. Sarah, 36, responded to the following questions to help paint a picture of her journey.

When did the Adorers first land on your radar, and how did that happen?

I went to high school at Gibault (Catholic High School in Waterloo) and was taught by Sisters Elaine (Freund) and Marcia (Kruse). I grew up knowing the Adorers. When I started discerning, I was looking at every community except the Adorers. I thought I wanted something new.

Can you talk about the significance of taking your final vows?

It’s not just me saying yes forever, but it’s the community also saying yes. It was important for me to make a public witness of my vows because I’m not doing this for myself. I said yes to be able to help people in a special way.

What does the immediate future hold for you, and is this a change for you?

There really isn’t anything that changes. I think that is why it was so easy to say yes. I’m ready. I couldn’t be any happier at this time. I work for a great organization, Bethany Christian Services (a child and family services organization in St. Louis), and I get to help keep families together by offering them the needed resources.

Discuss what the Adorers mean to you and what this journey has meant to you.

As I was discerning final vows or not, I often thought that, if I leave, I leave a better person than when I started. Making final vows, I believe that I am a better person than when I started. Being an Adorer means adoring the God in each person I encounter. The journey has not been easy, but I’m grateful for all the bumps that made me who I am.