Born and raised in Aubigny, Manitoba,[2] McDonald first worked in journalism beginning in 1960 as an intern for the Winnipeg Free Press.
[1] She became a Roman Catholic nun, teaching high school and working part-time for local radio stations as a commentator on religion and theology.
[1] In 1980, she joined CBC Television's The National as a social affairs reporter.
[3] In 1986, she became producer of CBC Radio's religious and spiritual show Open House,[4] and became the program's host in 1990.
[3] During this era, she published at least one murder mystery short story, "Death at Network News", in a local anthology of Ottawa writers.