By KARAN MINNIS, Guardian Lifestyles Reporter, karan@nasguard.com

When she began her religious life, Sister Mary Josephine thought only in terms of giving up things and not so much of being given. However, over the years, she has learnt that her life is one in which the giver has received as much as she gave.

"My parents have always taught me and my siblings to be giving people. They always showed us and taught us that it was better to give than receive, and personally I think that this lesson helped me in terms of wanting to become a [nun]"

"By becoming a [nun], I was, and I am able to give of myself, my talents, and assistance to God, to do the work of God, and to help people in need all at once. To me that's a blessing, because I have been able to help so many people and I am able to serve the Lord. That is why I become a [nun]. So for me being able to do that is a blessing, because I just enjoy giving of myself."

Born Thelma Caroline Albury on Sept. 14, 1946 on San Salvador, Sister Mary Josephine, is one of seven daughters born to devote Catholics. Her father, Joseph Albury was a wireless operator and a catechist of the Catholic Church in Cockburn Town. He gave 45 years of service to that church. Her mother was a house wife.

"Even though I came from a very religious family, I was inspired by the story of Saint Bernadette to become a nun," says Sister Mary Josephine. "It was just something about her story and the work she was able to do as a nun that moved me, and I'm still moved by her story today. Somehow I just liked that the community she was in was a place where you could go and give up everything and still be able to work with the community and help people. Something about that just drew me in, and because I grew up in the church, and because I was surrounded by the love of God and His teachings I think that was just natural for me."

At the age of 15, Sister Mary Josephine received an early vocation. However, her parish priest, Father Nicole Kremer, O.S.B. did not support it.

"He was keen that my sisters, twin girls, Lilymae and Wilamae, should be the ones to join the convent," she said. "They would also dress up as nuns, and I guess he just thought they would be the ones. But nevertheless, I eventually achieved my goal, and he [Father Kremer] gave me his full support."

Sister Mary Josephine entered into the novitiate at Saint Benedict's Convent, in Minnesota in 1962 at the age of 16, and made her first profession two years later. Adjusting to the cultural differences in Minnesota was difficult for her.

"I disliked being the object of the other sisters' ongoing curiosity," she explained. "I was different, and I was from somewhere else different than them, so that sparked curiosity. But as time went on, and with the aid of forgiveness and humility, we developed a mutual understanding."

Upon returning to Nassau in 1965, Sister Mary Josephine was appointed the Director of Religious Education. In this capacity, she traveled to parishes throughout the country working with teachers, administrator and visiting homes.

She also worked with Mary Ferguson in marriage preparations, a mission that involved teaching couples about the Sacraments and leading them in a period of reflection in order to explore their own identity and their relationship. She was also the parish administrator for both Holy Saviour and Holy Cross Parishes in San Salvador.

Sister Mary Josephine possesses a bachelor's degree in Religious Education from the College of St. Benedict's and a Master's degree in Religious Education and Administration with a concentration in Family Ministry from Fordham University.

She has been a nun for just over 45 years.