Preparations For Entrance Based Questions

[cmaD2006]

[quote name='TeresaAvila' post='1158936' date='Jan 8 2007, 02:10 PM']
What do you do with documents such as your work paystubs, tax informations (you know how we are to hold onto such information for up to 3 years) did you take this with you to the convent? or throw it away?
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[quote name='TeresaAvila' post='1158936' date='Jan 8 2007, 02:10 PM']
For those who have had apartments, when paying your last months bills (for instance if you entered in May, but your may bill would not come until june) did you pay in advance to cover those bills or what did you do?
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[quote name='TeresaAvila' post='1158936' date='Jan 8 2007, 02:10 PM']
What did you do in regards to filing your in-come taxes (for those who worked)?
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Hi! This is what I did the first time around when I entered aspirancy/postulancy:

a) I stored my documents with my parents. However ... in your case I would take the essential documents with you. Three years of tax documents should fit in (probably) one folder. I'm not sure if you need 3 years of pay stubs ... maybe last pay stubs of the year for each year (or at least for each employer) and the W-4 (or W-2, whatever the form is) that came at the end of the year. In essence I kept what I used for filing the taxes. Of course gather other documents such as birth certificate, degrees, diplomas, transcripts, certifications, etc. Just keep it down to a minimum. (For example, forget the yearbooks; and the 3rd grade awards for perfect attendance :-))

b) as far as dealing with leftover bills -- I dealt with them in the convent. I was allowed to keep my bank accounts until (I think) the novitiate ... maybe even 1st vows -- so I made sure there was enough money in the bank for health insurance and my bills. I also put my sister on the account as co-owner, so that when the time came she could just pull all the money out of the account and close it. But if that can't be done you could always close out the account by mail, and sign over the check to someone (or give it to the community).

c) Income taxes -- I got permission from the community to get online to get my tax formes and file. It wasn't an issue.

d) find out what your community's policy is with respect to retirement accounts. You may or may not have to close it out. I think there may also be a possibility of moving the retirement account into another person's name for their benefit (so that you don't have to lose 30-40% of it due to early withdrawal); but I'm not 100% sure of this. I had to deal with this the first time around.

e) also find out how the community handles properties ... I just found out from the community I'm dealing with in Argentina that their rules on properties is different (I won't get into it since I can't explain it fully and I don't want to misrepresent).

f) limit what you take with you ... I made the mistake of taking too much (I was going to donate books to the community, and was overzealous). Less is better (but make sure to take what they tell you at least).

Again -- my community was active-contemplative; so that may make a difference. But I would think that any community would understand having a few loose ends to tidy up.

And family does come around eventually ... I am currently dealing with an aunt who doesn't agree with my decision to become a sister (but she is taking care of my mom). Its tough but remember Jesus has to be first; and ask Him for the discernment on how to handle it.

Finally -- pray about when to enter ... I wouldn't wait just because of a disagreement with family; *but* there are valid reasons to delay. It really is a question of discernment about the when. If you in your heart believe and feel that it is the right time to enter, and have peace about the idea of entering ... then go ahead and jump right in (and don't wait!). Some butterflies are to be expected though ... but there is peace in entering.

God bless!

-- Carmen

Edited January 28, 2007 by cmariadiaz

[Totus Tuus]

There's a brother (A Knight of the Holy Eucharist) at OLAM whose cousin joined the pink sisters last year He went to her entrance. It sounds like they are very unique. We are happy for you!!!

Lauren