Sr. Jessica Taylor’s first Jubilee celebration marks a journey in religious life that extends prior to her entrance into the community. She can trace her aspirations back before her teenage years – and to a core memory of a campfire group trading tales of what they wanted to be when they grew up.
“I said, ‘I want to be a Sister.’”
Sr. Jessica is a native of western Washington and to a close-knit, supportive family. She was raised alongside two sisters and a brother, and first pursued her pull to religious life after graduating from Highline High School in Burien. But instead, the communities she reached out to encouraged her to live a bit more life first, and to keep listening to refine her call.
Sr. Jessica’s path instead led to Central Washington University, where she studied education. It was during this chapter of her life that the Sisters of Providence entered the picture – in the form of a vocation event led by fellow 2026 Jubilarian Sr. Patricia Glen, SP.
After earning her degree, Sr. Jessica entered the workforce as a middle school teacher, but God’s call grew ever louder. She bravely made the jump after a second retreat with several Sisters of Providence — and a home visit so that her family could get to know her soon-to-be fellow Sisters.
“They felt like the community I could take my shoes off, I could be me, and I could do what I wanted to do in life and serve. It was a good, vibrant community.”
Sr. Jessica continued to hone her teaching skills during her transition, and was also quickly thrust into the international element of her new community. Less than two months after becoming a novice in 2001, she traveled to Rome for the beatification of Blessed Emilie Gamelin.
Then in 2004, she spent 10 months in the Philippines ministering in vocations and, with the use of her American Sign Language abilities, supporting the deaf community. Sr. Jessica found great gratification in using sign language to lead retreats, signing during Mass, and ministering to people who otherwise had difficulties communicating their needs. She was invited into the homes of many impoverished Filipino families, which molded a moral compass for how she would approach her life as a Sister.
“It opened up a whole new way of being with people in the joy of life, not in the suffering…. that joy is what I want. That joy of Christ is what I want.”
Sr. Jessica’s shared that foundation of joy in her ministries ever since, which have included special education and intensive learning at Highline School District and Sylvester Middle School (2005-2010), and care counseling services at Sojourner Place Household (2014-2018), Jubilee Women’s Center (2016-2018), and Catholic Charities in Tukwila (2019-2022).
She’s developed a wealth of skills and grown through the opportunities of her ministries, including living out Blessed Emilie Gamelin’s example of charism as she aided to new mothers and women in need of emotional and material support.
Sr. Jessica’s also earned a master’s degree from Seattle University and holds Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist credentials – blending advanced administrative and counseling skills.
Beginning in 2022, Sr. Jessica was the administrator of St. Joseph Residence in Seattle – a fast-paced ministry in service to her fellow Sisters. She’s also building community leadership experience as the current Local Leader of the Providence Peace Community.
At home, Sr. Jessica is also an excellent quilter – a joy that she’s infused into ministries, as she’s made quilts for those experiencing homelessness and as gifts for Sisters and family.
Now, with 25 years of individual growth and positive impact on the lives of those she’s touched, Sr. Jessica is motivated at what’s still to come.
“It’s a ‘Yes, I’ve made it,’ and it’s also a yes that I’m still going…. I pray every day that I have the fidelity, and the strength, and courage to be the Sister I’m supposed to be and have the courage to do what Christ asks me to do.”