Sister Sheila Novak, SDS
Called to Faith, Led by Passion

As we rejoice in her 50 years of profession with the Sisters of the Divine Savior, Sister Sheila Novak, SDS, celebrates with gratitude the many ways she has been able to minister during that time. Her latest ministry addresses women’s issues for which she has always felt a passion.

Serving in leadership in the early 2000s, Sister Sheila played an important role in focusing the mission of Salvatorian religious throughout the world. While she was serving on the planning committee for the General Chapter of 2001, the door opened to look at the plight of women around the world and Sister Sheila stepped right in. Today, along with Sister Jean Schafer, SDS, Sister Sheila operates Hope House in Southern California, providing long-term healing for victims of human trafficking.

Human trafficking includes abducting, transporting, and providing persons, through force or fraud, for involuntary servitude or bondage. The scope of human trafficking is difficult to assess due to its hidden nature, but California’s borders and ports make it especially vulnerable to the crime.

Sister Sheila’s past ministries in education, pastoral work, new membership and leadership equipped her with many skills, but more than anything else, her personal passion for the plight of women is what keeps her going. She works to raise awareness and advocates for anti-trafficking legislation. She collaborates with other women religious to address the needs of victims, and is a member of the Coalition of Catholic Organizations against Human Trafficking sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (U.S.C.C.B.) in Washington, D.C.

“I came to California without a plan, which is very unusual for me,” says Sister Sheila. “At first I tried to sit down with trafficked victims to learn what I could do to help them. I reasoned whatever ‘it’ was would then become my ministry.” Communication barriers and trust issues hindered those discussions, but along the way, the basic need for housing came to light.

“Providing housing is the easy part,” admits Sister Sheila, “but it’s a good start. There are other needs, like employment training and referrals for other social services that we are still trying to build.” Hope House has been operating for a couple of years so there’s not enough history to predict how long a “typical” client stays on. One thing is sure: it’s not a quick turnaround.

“There are many levels of healing, and some take longer than others,” she says. “We do see little signs of progress and those bring hope. This ministry is a real call to faith. You don’t really know what effect you’re having on the people you serve. You have to take it on faith—it’s the only way to keep going.”

Sister Sheila taught many years in private and public elementary schools. After training in Rome, she ministered in spiritual formation and took a bold step to initiate intercommunity formation programs for men’s and women’s congregations. Says Sister Sheila, “It’s been more than 25 years and it turned out to be a very good program—both for new members and formation directors.”

After obtaining a master’s degree in pastoral studies at Chicago’s Loyola University, Sister Sheila served 12 years as a pastoral associate in the Diocese of Saginaw, Mich., then seven years as U.S. Provincial. She first came to know Sisters of the Divine Savior in third grade at Mother of Good Counsel. She recalls, “My parents went on a Sunday afternoon to enroll us in school. Sister Maureen Hopkins answered the door and proceeded to give a grand tour of the parish complex. She always remained special to our family as the first Salvatorian Sister we met.”