Through the process of growing and awareness of the call to follow Jesus in Salesian religious life, the young woman matures in her ability to answer God's call, in an ever more free and responsible way. (Plan of Formation)
We ask you to join us in prayer for these young women as they continue to discern their call to Salesian religious life! Click on the plus sign to learn more about everyone!
Candidates
Betsy Nieto
Rachael Johnson
Hometown: Yakima, WA
University: Western Washington University, International Theological Institute
Favorite Saint: Blessed Carlo and St. Joan of Arc
Hobbies/Talents:(Nearly) useless trivia, writing fiction, and puns
Why do you want to be a Salesian Sister?
Why a sister? Because I want to offer up everything for Jesus and truly make him first in my life, while being nourished by a community.
Why a Salesian Sister? Because I love working with kids and believe that Salesian formation will help me to serve the youth better.
Elizabeth Molina
Hometown: Mission, TX
University: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley - Bachelor of Science in Psychology Favorite
Saint: St. Francis of Assisi and St. Padre Pio
Hobbies/Talents: I enjoy crocheting, going on walks, playing sports, listening to music, singing and playing guitar.
Why do you want to be a Salesian Sister? I felt that God was calling me to be His since I was young and starting my formation with the Salesian Sisters I feel that sense of joy and peace in me. I have a passion to serve the young people and I wish to spread the love of Christ to them with the beautiful charism of the Salesian Spirit.
Postulants
Brianna Cook
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
University: UT Austin, BS Architectural Engineering
Favorite Saint: St. Therese of Lisieux
Hobbies/Talents: Photography, decorating, traveling
Why do you want to be a Salesian Sister? To accompany youth into a deep relationship with the person of Jesus because a life with Christ is beautiful and meaningful!
Ivona Kolak
Hometown: Slip, Croatia
University: Georgia Institute of Technology, BS Business Adminstration
Favorite Saint: St. Anthony of Padua
Hobbies/Talents: Playing volleyball, biking, running, reading, traveling, learning new languages or skills
Why do you want to be a Salesian Sister: To serve young people with joy, love, patience, kindness, and gentleness! To be a witness for Christ to the young and to bring their souls closer to Him!
Elizabeth Wostarek
Hometown: Austin, TX
University: University of Texas at San Antonio, BS Architecture
Favorite Saint: St. Therese of Lisieux
Hobbies/Talents: Drawing, reading, crafts
Why do you want to be a Salesian Sister? I believe it is how God is guiding me to get to heaven and take as many people with me as possible!
Novices
Sr. Krystle Balancio
Hometown: Stockton, CA
University and Degree: University of California Irvine, BA Sociology, Minors in Education and Biology
Favorite Saint: (besides the Blessed Mother, Mary Mazzarello and Don Bosco) St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis de Sales, San Lorenzo Ruiz, and the Korean Holy Martyrs. To be honest I admire the lives of many holy martyrs.
Hobbies/Talents: cooking, teaching elementary kiddos, playing piano, listening to Kpop, watching K-dramas, building puzzles, bonding with young people over everything Disney
Why do you want to be a Salesian Sister? To be a positive and life-giving encounter with Christ to all people God brings into my life, especially young people. To make use of the gifts and abilities God has given me to draw souls to Him. To respond to Christ's love for me and my deep love for Him. To live, grow, and learn from Christ's example in this family of Salesian Sisters. To be a shining light and message to the world that God is soooo good!
Sr. Gloria Hoang
Hometown: Oakland, California
University Degree: University of California, Santa Cruz - Business Management Economics
Favorite Saint: St. John Bosco Hobbies/Talents: I love puzzles, strategy board games, volleyball, kickball and reading comic books!
Why do you want to be a Salesian Sister? I love being among the young people, getting to know them individually and walking together towards Christ!
Sr. Kresentia Sugiaman
Hometown: Missouri City, TX
University and Degree: The University of Texas at Austin, BS Civil Engineering Favorite Saint: St. Pope John Paul II and St. Therese of Lisieux
Hobbies/Talents: puzzles, board games, ultimate frisbee, and art
Why do you want to be a Salesian Sister? With Mary's help, to give my yes to God's call to holiness and to accompany young people to heaven!
Sr. Evelyn Lopez
Jr. Professed
Sr. Cherilly Galley
Hometown: Rialto, CA
University and Degree: Studying at Our Lady of the Lake University, BA Music Education
Favorite Saint: St. Joseph and St. Therese of Lisieux
Hobbies/Talents: Reading, playing piano and guitar, singing.
Why do you want to be a Salesian Sister? I am in love with Jesus and I want to bring young people to HIM!
Sr. Lien Phan
Hometown: San Jose, California
University and Degree: I am studying to Early Childhood Studies Certificates level II and Associate of Arts in teaching EC-6
Favorite Saint: Rose of Lima
Hobbies/Talents: Listen to music, hiking, playing cards with our dear Sisters
Why do you want to be a Salesian Sister? I love being with kids and helping them to be "Good Christians and honest citizens"
Sr. Valeria Jimenez
Hometown: San Diego, CA
University and Degree: Early Childhood
Favorite Saint: St. Joseph
Hobbies/Talents: Digital Design / Crafting / Dancing
Why do you want to be a Salesian Sister? “I want to be a Salesian sister to offer my life as a joyful faith response to Jesus’ love for me, and as an expression to share such love to educate, empower and evangelize the young people in the way of St John Bosco and St Mary Mazzarello.”
Sr. Shaila Mathai
Hometown: Aurora, CO
University and Degree: Doctorate of Pharmacy from Florida A & M University
Favorite Saint: St. Francis de Sales, St. Teresa of Calcutta
Hobbies/Talents: Hiking, Sewing
Why do you want to be a Salesian Sister? I desire to serve God and others and felt that God was calling me from the time I was young. I didn't know how to respond or where to go. When I met the Salesian Sisters something tugged inside of me. The joy and peace I experience in following God's will, sharing Jesus with the young, and being understood and loved by my Sisters cannot be expressed in words.
Sr. Jackie Sardina
Hometown: Yorba Linda, CA
University and Degree: The Catholic University of America, B.A. Theology and Philosophy; Notre Dame, Master of Divinity
Favorite Saint: St. Faustina, St. Chiara Luce Badano, St. John Bosco
Hobbies/Talents: Singing, running, cooking
Why do you want to be a Salesian Sister? I praise God that He has called me to this beautiful life with Him. To be a Salesian Sister is to follow Christ deeply, to be so filled with His love that you offer your whole self back to Him for the sake of young people. I'm just beginning my journey as an FMA, but I still wake up each day grateful that He has chosen me.
Sr. Desiree Barron
Hometown: Ranchester Wyoming
Favorite Saint: St. John Bosco, St. Joan of Arc, and St. Scholastica
Hobbies/Talents: I love to paint, play card games, draw and write and read fiction.
Why do you want to be a Salesian Sister?
Because Salesians have so much fun! In the Salesian Family, holiness is about following God with courage and joy! And that has always been the way I feel called to become a saint and bring others to holiness too!
Sr. Lucia Ramirez
Hometown: Bellflower, CA
University and Degree: Loyola Marymount University, BS Electrical Engineering (EE) Tufts University, MS EE My
My First Favorite Saint: St. Teresa of Calcutta
Hobbies/Talents: Music! Singing and guitar playing, and Sports! Volleyball, basketball
Why do you want to be a Salesian Sister? Accompany the young on their walk towards Jesus with the generous motherly heart of Mary.
Sr. Alejandra Treviño
Hometown: Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
University and Degree: Sam Houston State University - Interdisciplinary Studies, BA and International Literacy, MEd
Favorite Saint: Saint Teresa of Calcutta
Hobbies/Talents: Making crafts
Why do you want to be a Salesian Sister? I want to be a Salesian Sister to share the love of God and invite others to be holy, in a special way the young and the most in need.