Sister Corinne Forsman
Born Mary Kay Forsman in 1938 to Frank and Gertrude Sprute Forsman, Sister Corinne entered the Monastery in 1955. She made her first profession in 1957.
What inspired her vocation? A movie about missionary work in China.
"In the 6th grade I had a heroic vision of myself saving the world after seeing that movie," Sister Corinne recalls with a smile. "I thought I could write a movie that would convert the whole world."
She confided in her sister Jeanne that she was interested in being a nun, and Jeanne spilled the beans to their parents.
"They thought I was too young, but they didn't interfere," Sister Corinne said. Before she entered the Monastery, she and her siblings planned a 20th anniversary celebration for their parents. "We all knew that once I entered the monastery I wouldn't be able to come home for their Golden Anniversary."
After graduation from St. Gertrude's Academy, Sister Corinne began a 12 year teaching career. "I was so young then," she recalled with amazement. "I was just 19!"
The early years in the Monastery were very strict and Sister Corinne remembers being fearful of "so many things, especially of breaking the rules. Despite this fear, I drew me closer to Christ."
"Before Vatican II there was an emphasis on denial of the self, especially our emotional self," Sister Corinne explained. "After Vatican II we realized we needed to be whole, healthy women, individually responsible for our spiritual growth if we wanted to be effective in our ministries."
During these renewal years, Sister Corinne experienced many of her close friends leaving religious life for a multitude of reasons. She worked hard at allowing herself the freedom to leave if need be and in so doing, found "the freedom to stay, the desire to re-choose this monastic life at every change."
In the years that followed, Sr. Corinne served as Assistant Prioress at the Monastery, worked in parish ministry and was called to the position of Vocation Director for the community. More recently she ministered at Holy Family Parish in Clarkston, WA, was Mission Director at St. Mary's and Clearwater Valley hospitals in Cottonwood and Orofino, ID and is now the innkeeper at the Inn at St. Gertrude.
"Monastic life is a real life. Living with other people is very real. It is challenging, but rewarding.
"I love my monastic community and am very proud of it. We are a stable group with a rich and valuable tradition and history. Because of that strong foundation we are also a community that is moving forward, building our future."
"Vatican II and Me" by Sister Corinne
The Second Vatican Council gave shape to my favorite ministry years. How fortunate I was to be working at the Catholic Education Office in Boise during the implementation years of the Council. I am so grateful to good Pope John XXIII!
Our ministry at the Catholic Education Office was to work with the many catechists throughout the diocese of Boise in the area of the theology of Vatican II and its effects on catechesis and methodology.
There was such a searching spirit with people, such hope, and such a sense of God’s Spirit impregnating the Church with new life and vigor. The Church indeed was shaking “loose the barnacles and opening the windows” that kept parts of it stale and rigid. We traveled the scenic state of Idaho about three times each year. What a contemplative experience!
During the summers I was privileged to go to the Seattle University Masters of Religious Education Program. We had some of the best theologians in the country. What grand stepping stones in my life! What enhanced clarity in understanding the world, the Church and life!