Vocation Discernment Leads to a Heartwarming Reunion with Sister Corda

Sometimes God has a way of bringing people together in the most unexpected ways.

This summer, a young woman discerning religious life with the Sisters of St. Benedict visited Monastery Immaculate Conception with her family from St. Marys, Pennsylvania. During their visit, they spent time with Sister Corda Trouy, who began her religious life in the Benedictine community in St. Marys before transferring to the Ferdinand community in 1997.

As they visited, an incredible connection came to light.

The discerner’s mother had taught alongside Sister Corda in the 1980s at St. Mary’s School in Pennsylvania. In fact, she even picked Sister Corda up each morning on their way to school. What began as a simple visit quickly became a joyful reunion as they reminisced about their years in the classroom, the students they taught, and the memories they shared.

It was a beautiful reminder of how closely connected the Church can be and how God continues to weave lives together across generations.

Teaching has always been at the heart of Sister Corda’s vocation. Originally from New Albany, Indiana, she earned her bachelor’s degree at Villa Maria College in Erie, Pennsylvania, and later completed postgraduate studies at Spalding University and other institutions.

Her ministry in Catholic education spans more than six decades. Sister Corda spent over 40 years teaching in parish schools, beginning in 1957 at St. Mary’s School in St. Marys, Pennsylvania. She taught early elementary students, often with classes of 45 to 50 children, yet always worked to make her classroom feel like home.

“I loved teaching,” she recalls. “All the children were my favorites. They were themselves, and we had a good relationship.”

One former student—whom she taught from second through seventh grade—recently reached out to tell her he had “reformed.” The message meant a great deal to her.

“I prayed for him often,” she said. “God gave me a lot of patience, and I’m grateful for that.”

After transferring to the Ferdinand Benedictine community in 1997, Sister Corda continued sharing her gifts through Religious Education, Mission Advancement, and donor outreach. Today, she serves in the monastery’s Prayer Ministry while continuing to teach Religious Education at Christ the King Parish in Ferdinand.

Looking back on her decision to join the Ferdinand community, Sister Corda remembers immediately feeling at home.

“I stepped inside the building and was so happy,” she says. “I love it here—and the Sisters loved me.”

For the discerner and her family, this unexpected reunion became much more than a visit. It was a touching reminder that the relationships formed through faith, education, and community often endure for a lifetime.

Moments like these reflect the Benedictine spirit of hospitality and connection, showing how God continues to work through the people we meet and the paths we never expect to cross.