From Skeptic to Sister: How Amelia Hueller Found Faith and Now Guides Students

Dominican Sister Amelia Hueller has taken on a new role at Providence Academy in Plymouth, Minnesota. Her work includes teaching religion, leading retreats, and offering students a daily religious presence. Yet her own journey to faith began much later in life, shaped by unexpected encounters and deep reflection. Sister Amelia grew up without religious belief and was never baptised as a child. At 12, she started babysitting for the Hooley family, a devout Catholic household. Tom Hooley’s words—that he loved God above all else, even before his wife and children—left a lasting impression on her.

As a 16-year-old exchange student in Chile, she noticed the strong faith of those around her. She began wearing a miraculous medal, a small but meaningful step toward spirituality. After university, Patty Hooley suggested she take her questions to God during Eucharistic adoration. This led her to join the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. In 2006, she was baptised and entered the Dominican Sisters convent, making her final vows in 2013. Before arriving at Providence Academy, she served as a campus minister in the Netherlands and taught in various settings. Now, she teaches seventh-grade religion, leads retreats, and keeps her office open for students seeking guidance. She also joins them for meals and organises extended trips, offering both spiritual and personal support. Todd Flanders, the academy’s headmaster, believes her presence helps young people see religious life as fulfilling and joyful. Her own path—from scepticism to devotion—reflects the transformative power of faith she now shares with students.

Sister Amelia’s role extends beyond the classroom, shaping the school’s spiritual environment. Her personal story, from a secular upbringing to a life of service, offers students a relatable example of faith. The academy sees her as a vital link between tradition and the daily lives of its pupils.