My Time in Atlanta

Poetry and memories from Shirley Green during her 21 years as a contemplative cloistered nun, living a life of prayer at the Monastery of the Visitation in Atlanta, Georgia.

Shirley Green was born in Alexandria, Louisiana. When she was 4 years old, she fell in love with the Sisters who taught her Kindergarten class at the Catholic School that she attended. Eventually, though her parents were Protestants, they permitted her to join the Catholic Church. She was baptized at the age of 10 and became a member of the Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Pineville—twin city of Alexandria.
A while after graduating from St. James High School in Alexandria, she was married and became the mother of three children. Some years later, the marriage ended and a Church Annulment was obtained. Having begun working for the telephone company in 1970, she continued working in Alexandria until her department closed. She then transferred to Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she lived for nearly 8 years.
Shortly after her arrival, she joined the Third Order of Carmelites—a wonderful religious group of people that she loves and still keeps in touch with. Also, it was in Baton Rogue, that she began writing poetry and taking art lessons.
After 20 years with the phone company, Shirley began to answer the call from God that had begun in childhood. She took a deferred retirement and entered the Monastery of the Visitation in Snellville, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta, to become a Cloistered Contemplative Nun and live a Life of Prayer.
During her time in Atlanta, she thought she would be in the Monastery for the rest of her life, then she received another call from God. This time, He asked her to start a new religious congregation with a very intense devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She greatly appreciates your prayers as she strives to answer the call.

If you would like to know more or
support Shirley in her efforts,
write to her directly at:

Shirley Green
P.O. Box 125
Alexandria, Louisiana 71309