Carol Twichel

I have always had a desire to serve God and bring His message of compassion to others. I grew up in a Catholic military home. I probably had an atypical Catholic experience. I have found this out as I have shared with other Catholics through the years. I experienced more freedom from the more common restrictions (e.g. eating meat on Fridays) and had a variety of “parishes.”  The Holy Spirit was faithful to use the framework I born into. I was fed with the “wheat” of God’s truth. Mercifully most of the “religious chaff” was blown away.  This is not to say that I did not experience any chaff or “religious baggage.”  I had my share of learning about guilt and grace!

 I prefer to think of my life in terms of “missions” from the Holy Spirit

 Since, I had an early desire to serve God, my first mission was to enter the Sisters of Providence after graduating from High School.  This was a special time of learning about community, prayer, discernment and compassion for the poor. I was there about 4 years and did not formally commit to take the vows to become a Sister.

 My second mission involved finishing college with a BA and an MS in Speech Language Pathology.  My years as a Speech Pathologist have been enormously rewarding.  My first job was with Home Health Care serving a 5-county region in Washington.  From there the focus of my work was with the developmentally disabled and multiple-handicapped.  I have certainly learned more from them than I have taught.  I prefer to call them “differently abled.” It has been my honor to serve these special populations within institutions and within the school system.

 My third mission was a call to chaplaincy. I completed the Master of Divinity Program at George Fox University Seminary with an emphasis on chaplaincy in 2003. While in seminary, I began my Clinical Pastoral Education and completed 4 Units of CPE in 2004.

 I completed the 2-year Recording process with NWYM and was recorded in 2005.

 I am now retired from formally serving as a Speech Language Pathologist and continue to be called toward a compassionate ministry as a volunteer chaplain.

 I would like to close by sharing a favorite quote of mine. “Caritas Christi Urget Nos” which is “The Love of Christ Compels Us!”