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Alanna Lechner, SNJM

I am the sixth child of twelve born to Vincent and Georgiana Lechner. Throughout grade school in Lomita, California, I was taught by the Salesian Sisters who greatly influenced my religious vocation and my interest in the foreign missions.

Upon my completion of primary school, my family moved to Salem, Oregon, where I attended Sacred Heart Academy. It was there that I met the Holy Names Sisters and was inspired by their friendliness and happy spirit. Thus, in 1963 I began my novitiate in Oregon. However, since my family had moved back to California, in 1966 I changed to the California Province.

With completion of my university studies, I was finally able to start teaching, a career which truly animated me. I loved the sense of wonder and curiosity in young children, and found it thoroughly rewarding helping them discover and develop their abilities.

After several years of teaching in California, I was missioned to Peru where I provided teachers with educational materials and assisted them in the planning and execution of lessons. Some years later, I moved to Nicaragua where I fulfilled my lifelong dream of working in a children’s home. Along with teaching, I was privileged to be the “mother” for up to 45 children at a time, ages 0 through 6. Luckily, I was able to monitor the growth and progress of many of these children, as they continued to live in our organization.

When a new home opened and the children were moved, I became the director of the farm where we raised produce and meat for the 300 children in our care. I greatly loved the animals and the tropical outdoors of Nicaragua and enjoyed my farm years immensely.

Several years ago I returned to California, but remain in touch with dear friends in Nicaragua. There is still an element of outdoors and animals in my life, as I am living on my sister’s ranch near Arroyo Grande, California, and homeschooling young children. So, once again I am truly blessed and fulfilled in my work.