This is the sixth in a series of articles about people who came into the Catholic Church at Easter.

By Marilyn Jozwik. Special to your Catholic Herald

MILWAUKEE — The Holy Spirit works in mysterious ways.

It’s the only explanation Jo Anne Carter-Hauser has for her becoming Catholic 10 years ago and for eight family members following in her footsteps this past Easter.

Jo Anne’s journey began with a persistent nun.

“She had expectations of me that were higher than any person in academia,” Jo Anne recalled. “I had to prove to myself I could do it.”

Jo Anne felt that Sr. Justine Peter, a Sister of St. Francis of Assisi, challenged her mentally and spiritually.

With a Baptist father and Catholic mother (“Never the two shall meet” she said, “especially in the ‘50s.”) Jo Anne said she never fully understood either religion when she was growing up.

When she started taking humanities classes at Cardinal Stritch University in 1990, it was like someone opened a door that had been locked for years and let all the fresh air in. All the fog surrounding her spiritual life lifted as she began to learn about various cultures and religions through Sr. Justine and Sr. Coletta Dunn, also a Sister of St. Francis of Assisi.

“We called them the ‘tag team nuns,’” said Jo Anne.

Jo Anne loved her classes at Cardinal Stritch and the new direction she was headed after years of working at the telephone company. She earned a master’s degree. But more than just her mind opened to let in new perspectives and ideas – so did her soul.

Jo Anne credits Sr. Justine for that. Jo Anne had heard from her mother, who attended St. Francis Grade School, how strict nuns could be, and had to admit she was a bit wary when she first encountered them at Cardinal Stritch.

But through their humor, intelligence and, most of all, their respect for the students, Jo Anne became a fan – and a friend.

“She never saw me as anything less than a child of God,” said Jo Anne of Sr. Justine. When Jo Anne needed prodding, she would talk to her to get her back on track. “When I did well, she praised me.”

“I would come after class and talk to her and she’d always answer every question perfectly,” said Jo Anne.

Around this time Jo Anne began contemplating becoming a Catholic. It also was around this time that she met Jack Hauser at Cardinal Stritch, whom she later married.

Ten years ago on Easter, Jo Anne was baptized at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Jack’s parish. With Sr. Justine present, Jo Anne surprised her when the priest announced her baptismal name: Justine.

At the cathedral Jo Anne met another special person who accompanied her on her faith journey. Again, Jo Anne thanks the Holy Spirit for doing the job.

Mary Farrar, a volunteer at the cathedral, would greet Jo Anne and Jack when they came to church for RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes. Mary would chat with them, serve them coffee and made Jo Anne feel welcome.

“She reminded me of my mother ... her smile, her hair. She was open to new adventures,” Jo Anne said.

When it came time to choose a godmother, Jo Anne knew she wanted Farrar. “I want the lady who buzzes us in,” said Jo Anne.

Farrar was surprised, but couldn’t say no.

“They (Jo Anne and Jack) are just marvelous people,” said Farrar.

Jack is campus minister and head of the theology department at Messmer High School. Jo Anne, who teaches in the Messmer Middle School, had been an assistant professor in the urban education department at Cardinal Stritch, and also was an educational consultant.

After Jo Anne asked Farrar to be her godmother, the cathedral greeter felt she needed to become more involved in the church, so she began working with the RCIA program.

“I am very enthusiastic about RCIA,” said Farrar. “(Candidates) really become involved and discuss their faith so much more thoroughly than we did.”

Farrar has remained good friends with Jo Anne throughout the years.

“She’s very important to me. She has become like my daughter,” Farrar said.

Jo Anne is an altar server at the cathedral and, with her husband, has been involved in parish council, hospitality and the meal program.

This past Easter, Jo Anne’s younger sister, Susan, was baptized at St. Martin de Porres Parish, where Jo Anne and Jack are also members.

Joining Susan in baptism were her daughter, Courtney Hardy, and Courtney’s three children, Alexander, Tramaine and Adrian.

Also baptized were Jo Anne’s daughter, Tamara Richardson, and Tamara’s two children, Davion Richardson and Bria Smith.

“The ceremony was huge. Watching each one fully embrace their faith was such an emotional experience,” said Jo Anne.

Farrar says that Jo Anne is an inspiration to her family, but Jo Anne gives the Holy Spirit, along with the people at the Cathedral and St. Martin de Porres, all the credit. Jo Anne’s granddaughter, Bria, and her cousin, and great-niece, Adrian, who were baptized, got involved at St. Martin de Porres through liturgical dancing.

“There’s a community working there. The Holy Spirit is working with them,” she said.

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