Mindful Ministry Series – Sally Koch, MA '13
Sister Sally Koch, MA ‘13
Master of Arts, Theology & Pastoral Ministries
Concentration: Spirituality
Communications Director - Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in California
Sister Sally Koch grew up on a small family dairy farm in Nebraska. After receiving a degree in psychology with a minor in music from the University of South Dakota, Sister Sally volunteered with L'Arche and the Vincentian Volunteer Corps before working in campus ministry.
Post volunteer service , she found herself making her way out to Northern California to become a full time student who worked in campus ministry and as Resident Minister at Santa Clara University. With this fully loaded schedule, Sister Sally found the night classes to be the perfect fit for her packed daily schedule. She spent her days connecting with students from her different ministries. She would also volunteer her time offering programs for students at these ministries in the evening when she did not have nighttime classes to attend. She found that her ability to take a deep dive into her coursework was not at all hindered by her extracurricular activities. This life of discernment has only been enhanced by her Jesuit education with the Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries.
The GPPM fit seamlessly into her life; finding balance between leaning into her spirituality and coursework only enhanced her ability to be present with her graduate program.
Sister Sally believes that the tools of Ignatian Discernment have helped immensely in her ability to discern her vocation and anything in life; “to practice the examen and see where God has been in my everyday life is grounding.” This awareness of the Divine in one’s life has helped her take steps towards living a life fully alive. Hear from Sister Sally:
“My spirituality and relationship with God grew exponentially through my experience in the GPPM at Santa Clara University.”
Flash forward to July 2020, Sister Sally took her first vows and is now the youngest sister with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Here she serves as the Communications Director. The charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph is unioning love. “We try to cultivate an awareness that we are all one and therefore need to treat each other, Mother Earth and the Universe with great care and love.” This reminds Sister Sally of the Fall In Love prayer by Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ when he says, “Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”
If she decides that this life is for her, she will take her permanent vows in two years time.