*Mother Joan Paul will not be accepting new discerners at this time*
My name is Mother Joan Paul Tobin, CK. I am a School Sister of Christ the King, a community of teachers, from Lincoln, Nebraska. I spent my childhood years living with my family on a ranch in southeastern Montana after which we moved back to Dad’s family farm near Omaha, NE. I attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and obtained a degree in Early Childhood Development/Elementary Education. I taught for one year at a Catholic grade school in Lincoln before entering our community in 1976, the year that the community began.
God used women religious throughout my early years to help me hear His call. A Presentation Sister of the Blessed Virgin Mary prepared me for First Holy Communion during summer CCD class. She was very special. I remember thinking, “God, I think you want me to be a sister just like her someday!” I was seven years old at the time. In ninth grade, while attending Saint Martin’s Academy in Rapid city, SD, my Physical Education teacher was a postulant for the Benedictine Sisters. She was such a beautiful, lively, friendly young woman who wanted to give her whole life to Christ! She became my role model. These are just two of many women that God put in my path to keep me reminded of His desire for my life.
Although a longing for religious life was intermittently prevalent during my growing up years, I intensely yearned to be a wife and mother. God was very patient with me as I sojourned through undergraduate studies until He, the Hound of Heaven, caught up with me and asked me to come more fully to Him! At that point, I was ready to surrender and follow His lead.
As a religious sister, I have enjoyed serving our Lord and His people in various ways including being a grade school and middle school teacher, an elementary school principal and Mother General of our community. I am currently serving on our Vocation Team and am appreciating the opportunity to mentor young women seeking God’s will in their lives.
In addition to the Blessed Virgin Mary, my mother, St. Joan of Arc is my patroness and spiritual friend.
Things I enjoy most, besides prayer, include listening to music, singing and playing the piano, travelling, caring for animals, gardening and cooking.
I am very grateful to the staff of Vocations Outreach for providing this service for young men and women who desire to discern their vocation. I view this opportunity as a sacred privilege and I am looking forward to walking with women in their process of discernment.
Learn more about Mother Joan Paul’s vocation story and her community here: