Hello, my name is Michelle Woodruff.  I was asked to write a brief autobiography so that you can get to know me better as I get to know the ASC community.

I was born and raised in Hutchinson, KS northwest of Wichita. My parents John and Pat, have been married for 37 years, my sister Marcia, is 5 years older than me. She and her husband, Larry, have two children, Holly and Josh. My extended family: aunts, uncles and cousins, are large and close.

My earliest memories are of a loving, nurturing family in which faith and values were essential. The Eucharist and Paschal Mystery have been central to my faith life. I would like to share my journey along a winding circle of discernment that has led me to the ASC community. My journey has included many side roads of growth, adventure and grace.

I first met the ASCs at a discernment weekend near Kingman about 10 years ago. The experience introduced me to Maria DeMattias; different styles of prayer; finding God in nature and becoming more open to God's call. During college, I pursued my childhood desire to serve others by earning a nursing degree. The idea of a religious vocation often came to mind, but just as often, I pushed it aside. I graduated and began working as an RN in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Less than two years later, prayer, soul searching and a conversation with my parish priest prompted me to begin serving in volunteer ministry with the Cabrini Mission Corps as a Home Health Nurse and companion for the frail and elderly in Chicago. The experience helped me grow professionally, personally and spiritually. The two Cabrini sisters with whom I lived modeled for me how they live and also taught me to be more in touch with my Spirit. One of the most important lessons I learned is that serving others does not always entail doing something for them. Often, the simple gift of presence can be the most important.

I left Chicago with a clearer self-knowledge, enough to know I needed more time to discern my vocation. That is what I did ­ with varying degrees of intensity ­ over the next two years.

In August, 2000 I traveled to Rome for World Youth Day (WYD). I asked God to open my heart more to Him and His son Jesus. The gift of the Rome pilgrimage was the growth of my faith beyond my head to my heart. I felt a burning desire to seriously discern a religious vocation.

When I returned, the Adorers ad in the National Vocation Magazine, Vision, caught both my eye and heart. "Bringing Christ's healing love and mercy to others" is what I want to do. The ASC focus on Eucharist and Paschal Mystery fits perfectly with what I value in my faith life.
 
My response to the Vision ad started an enriching journey of contact with Sister Rita Schilling. The Discernment weekend in January, 2001 at Ruma was the confirmation I needed. It was there I heard and felt God calling my heart.

It took a lot of time, prayer, conversation and reflection before I was ready to start the application process to become a candidate. But here I am, ready to learn more about the ASCs by living in community, studying and continuing my spiritual journey with you. I'm excited to meet more of you. Thank you for this opportunity to share my story.