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Marcella attended the Catholic elementary school in Schulte, which
was taught by the Dominican Sisters. When it came time for high
school, she was reluctant to go to the big city of Wichita, but her mother
was insistent that her daughter receive a catholic education. So
Marcella enrolled at Cathedral High School, where she was taught by
the Sisters of St. Joseph who, according to Marcella, were excellent
educators. She is convinced that the Sisters not only imparted
knowledge but stirred in her a desire for religious life. The Sisters
taught her to respond with total generosity. This response led her to
enter the Sisters of St. Joseph convent. At the time of her novitiate,
she was given the name Charlene. Sister Charlene has never regretted her decision to enter religious life, a life that has led her to many places, people, and opportunities undreamed of.
Sister Charlene taught for a short time in elementary and junior high schools, but in 1952 her life took a significant turn when she responded to Mother Mary Anne’s call for volunteers to join our Japan mission. Sister Charlene studied the Japanese language and then worked in a day nursery for preschool Japanese children. Although Charlene enjoyed working with children, she found that her talents could best be utilized through her culinary skills. She has ministered to the Sisters and guests at our convent and retreat house in Kyoto for many years.
Sister Charlene Huffington was christened Marcella and had the happy privilege of being brought up in the farming community of Schulte, Kansas, which she says created an excellent environment for instilling Christian values in the young people of the area. Charlene believes
that this healthy Christian environment, along with the good example
of her parents, provided fertile soil for the development of her
religious vocation.
In relating bits and pieces of autobiographical data, Charlene uses the word “grateful” quite frequently. Charlene looks at all of life as a gift and is grateful to God for that gift. One of Charlene’s favorite scripture passages is Isaiah 43:1 – “I have called you by name – you are mine.” She strives daily to hear God call her by name and it is this call that leads her on her journey.
60 Years
Sister Charlene Huffington
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