Sister Christopher gives 60 years to Catholic education

Benedictine accepted her first teaching position when she was 19 years old

Published: April 28, 2012

By Sarah Morris
Stuttgart Correspondent

Sister Christopher Flowers, OSB, spends time with Zachary Koeller (from left), Robin Daughhetee, William Talley and Kennedy McHugh in the library at St. Michael School in West Memphis.

Sister Christopher Flowers, OSB, spends time with Zachary Koeller (from left), Robin Daughhetee, William Talley and Kennedy McHugh in the library at St. Michael School in West Memphis.

Seventy-one years ago, Sister Christopher Flowers entered St. Michael School in West Memphis on Ash Wednesday. She was 9 years old and it was her first introduction to the Catholic faith, although her family would eventually convert.

Today, Sister Christopher is still at the school -- helping out in any way needed. The 79-year-old is a member of the Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro and the librarian helper. It's a life she attributes to having simply because "God just cleared the way."

Her decision to join the convent was never a precise action.

"I've always gone along like God wants me here at this time to do this. … I think I am sort of like a tumbleweed even though my last name is Flowers," she said. "I sort of tumbled into whatever God wants me to do next."

She attended St. Michael until her eighth-grade graduation before she was transferred to the Holy Angels Academy and joined the juniorate. She later entered the novitiate as a high school senior.

"Of course when you are 16 and you are running up and down the halls you're not exactly thinking you are the most nun material," Sister Christopher said. "Everyone else was just nervous on whether they would be accepted or not, and I thought 'Well, if I'm not that just means I'm not supposed to be here.'"

Sister Christopher made her first vows in 1952 and her final vows in 1956. She said, "It was probably when I was making my perpetual vows when I really realized that God has asked me to completely belong to him."

Then 19 years old, she was sent out to teach after making her first vows. She first taught 45 students in third and fourth grades at St. Andrew's Cathedral School in Little Rock and, during the summer, she attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro to earn her bachelor's and master's degrees.

Her favorite part about teaching is "being with children and seeing them learn and feel good about themselves." She is now in her 60th year in education and has taught in all eight grades. She has taught in every one of the Catholic schools in Arkansas as well as in Muenster and Rhineland, Texas.

Still, Sister Christopher said she apologizes to anyone she taught during the first 10 years.

"I thought you were born reading because everybody in my family just read," she said.

It was only after she attended a reading clinic at ASU that she realized the students who weren't reading were not being "stubborn, obstinate or not paying attention."

It's an impatience that, she said, God has changed.

"I've been blessed, especially as a sister I've been able to do a lot more for a lot more people because they trusted me," she said.

Presently, Sister Christopher is no longer in a regular classroom but fills in as a substitute when needed. She officially retired about six or seven years ago, although she still remains at St. Michael to help.

"I work all day long every day," she said, adding that this include managing the library and helping with the Accelerated Reader program. She also assists any students that need help.

"I've been here 30 years (at St. Michael) although not in one stretch of time," Sister Christopher said.

When not at school, she said she enjoys crocheting and reading. During this time, Sister Christopher said her only time at the convent is during the summer months.

"Actually, I am just now wondering what I would be like when I am able to go home and just stay there because I've been away teaching all these years," she said.

However, she is still unsure when this day will come. Until then, Sister Christopher said she will continue to enjoy her time in West Memphis.

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