"Some girls tell me they're pregnant before they tell their parents," said Foeckler. Foeckler rarely gets to visit the New Life Center, which ministers to children who were born to school age girls. But she loves investing her time in the future of children she says. Brianna Chesser is fascinated by new faces, and Sister Mary's is no exception.

"Dear God," Sister Mary Foeckler whispers under her breath while she listens to phone messages in her office. Foeckler is the Outreach Coordinator for Flaget Memorial Hospital in Bardstown. By three in the afternoon, Foeckler is overwhelmed by the 17 messages that have accumulated in just one morning. Each voice represents the underprivileged of the community, who call Foeckler for help paying for gas, groceries, medicine or even an electricity bill.

Megan Vittenow,10, lines the coffee table with trophies ranging from perfect attendance to soccer and basketball. Sister Mary Foeckler celebrates Vittenow's accomplishments with acclamation and praise. With the satisfaction of Foeckler's reaction, she brings out her baby dolls to play.

Cats swarm Sister Mary Foeckler with the anticipation of dinner. But the warm chicken fingers are for Matthew Vittitow, 5, and his older sister, Megan Vittitow,10. As a bearer of good gifts, she always brings a little food and even a colorbook or two for the kids on her visits. Foekler has watched the two kids grow up and struggle with the harshness of life. She just learned that Matthew was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and came to check on his progress.

"Poor thing, she lost both of her sons tragically," said Foeckler. Ten years ago, Sister Mary Foeckler met Ann Hahn at Flaget Memorial Hospital in Bardstown. Hahn lost her oldest son, Michael, when he took his own life in the room next to her. He died in her arms and left a grieving mother and an orphaned child. Foeckler was a source of strength and encouragement to Hahn in a time of mourning. Foeckler walked Hahn through the death of her other son, James Lee, when he died of AIDS three years after Michael. Foeckler left her with the rosary and hope of a future gathering in Heaven.

"God Bless, Sister Mary, you paid $3.95 for these cookies," said Ann Hahn. Ann's husband, Lester, was diagnosed with diabetes and has had to watch his sugar intake. Sister Mary Foeckler, in usual fashion, stops by the grocery store to buy flowers, canned peaches, macaroni and cheese, and sugarfree cookies for her close friends.

Megan Vittenow, 10, is one of the children whose picture lines Sister Mary Foeckler's desk. Foeckler tries to be an integral source of encouragment in the lives of these children, but she can't always be there for them. Knowing the power of prayer and guardian angels, she knows all these children, including Megan, are protected. "I think Guardian angels come in all shapes and sizes," Foeckler said. "Some people might think I'm crazy, you know...and maybe I am. It's faith."