When director and producer Keith Famie set out to make The Calling, he knew it would be unlike any other documentary he had produced. Known for his award-winning human-interest films, Keith had spent two decades telling the stories of war veterans, end-of-life caregivers and cultural communities—but this time, he was stepping into sacred territory: the world of Catholic sisters.
For many, the image of a Catholic sister might conjure scenes from Sister Act or the gentle strength of Mother Teresa. Others may recall the strict discipline of a classroom sister from their childhood. But as The Calling powerfully reveals, sisters are far more complex, deeply rooted in service and often misunderstood. They are educators, nurses, environmentalists, social justice advocates and spiritual leaders—women who have quietly shaped our nation’s conscience.
In this PBS documentary, Keith and his team at Visionalist Entertainment Productions venture beyond the convent door, shedding light on the history, humanity and enduring impact of women religious. With characteristic respect and curiosity, he traces their legacy from medieval Europe—where sisters cared for the poor and buried the dead—to the pioneering hospital founders of the American frontier and into the present-day ministries where sisters are still transforming lives.
Felician Sisters play a vital role in this narrative. Through candid and heartfelt interviews, the film features Sr. Mary Andrew Budinski, Sr. Nancy Marie Jamroz, Sr. Shelley Marie Jeffrey, Sr. Judith Marie Kubicki, Sr. Felicity Marie Madigan, Sr. Joyce Marie Van de Vyver. Their voices bring forward the deeply personal dimensions of religious life—the joys, the sacrifices, the spiritual grounding and the continued relevance of their call to serve.
Historically, religious life provided one of the few paths for women to be educated, lead institutions and shape public discourse. In the United States, sisters established more than 500 hospitals by the early 20th century, many serving immigrants and the poor. They taught generations of children, ran orphanages and cultivated communities of compassion.
While their numbers have declined since the 1960s, the calling to serve God and others continues. Today, sisters are working in domestic violence shelters, low-income housing, prison ministry, hospice care and at the forefront of environmental protection. The Calling captures this evolution—not as a farewell to the past, but as a powerful meditation on vocation, visibility and legacy.
From chef to documentarian, Famie tells the story of modern-day spiritual leaders. Formerly known as a celebrity chef and TV host, Keith Famie shifted his career in 2004 to documentary filmmaking, driven by a desire to help people tell their stories. That decision has since led to him and his team at Visionalist Entertainment Productions receiving 27 Michigan Emmy Awards and a long list of acclaimed documentaries.
Yet The Calling stands apart—not just in subject matter, but in spirit. In listening to the lives and witness of women like the Felician Sisters, Keith Famie invites audiences into a rarely seen world of spiritual conviction, human compassion and humble leadership. The Calling is not simply a documentary—it is an invitation to see these women as courageous, contemporary disciples responding to the needs of the world.
Keith Famie doesn’t just document lives—he listens deeply. And in this latest project, he gives voice to a community of women who have spent a lifetime listening to the needs of others.
