Ursulines Serving in Parish Leadership

By Sister Elaine M. Berkopec

Ursuline Sisters take on roles in parishes when the need arises. Two such places are St. Aloysius-St. Agatha and Gesu parishes.

When the need for new pastoral leadership at St. Aloysius-St. Agatha Parish became evident, Sister Mary Jean Raymond answered the call. But it wasn’t one she was expecting.

Sister Mary Jean was by no means a stranger to “St. Al’s.” Her life of ministry began there in 1981 as a fourth grade teacher. The following year, she moved to teaching first grade, where she remained until 2016. She also developed a religion curriculum during that time for Catholic schools that enroll a majority of non-Catholic students. She offered workshops for teachers in urban Catholic schools.

In 2016, then-pastor Rev. Mark Hobson asked her to move into parish ministry. Sister discerned for herself that this was a Spirit-inspired move and responded positively. In 2021 when the pastor moved and an administrator of the parish was needed, Sister Mary Jean was offered the role of Parish Life Coordinator and prayerfully accepted. Parishioners were concerned that the parish would be absorbed by another and would lose its unique character. Sister Mary Jean’s acceptance of parish leadership relieved that fear. The people of the parish have been supportive and loving. “Anything I’ve asked them to do, they are here!”

Father Anthony J. Simone serves in priestly ministry at the parish in addition to his position as parochial vicar at St. Jerome Parish. Father Anthony is present at St. Al’s twice a week, on Wednesday and Friday, as well as for liturgy on most Sundays.

Every day is different as needs and challenges arise. Sister Mary Jean’s ministry is spiritual as well as downto-earth: she is responsible for the pastoral, physical, and financial care of the parish. She works with Mr. Kyle Jones, school principal; Jack Young, bookkeeper; Carol Bunn, Food Pantry Director; a pastoral council of 12 members; a Ministry and Spirituality Committee; Marianist Lay Community; the St. Vincent de Paul Society; and the Men’s Club.

Volunteers from at least eight neighboring parishes offer help as they are able. In the words of Sister Mary Jean, “St. Aloysius is a gateway for suburban parishes to have input in the city and join in ministry.”

Sister Mary Jean Raymond at St. Aloysius

“The building itself speaks of strength, longevity, and stability in our neighborhood. I pray that I might have and convey that same strength, stability, and longevity to all of the folks whose lives I touch.”

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“St. Aloysius is a gateway for suburban parishes to have input in the city and join in ministry.”

How has this new chapter in her ministry at St. AloysiusSt. Agatha personally affected Sister Mary Jean? “I think this new position has led me to reflect on a historical perspective that I just took for granted before. What do I mean by this? I think about all of the trailblazing women in our community who did things that were new and innovative at the time. I think a lot about the history of St. Aloysius Parish and all of the souls who have passed through here or been affected by our presence here through the years.

“Sometimes (really quite often) I go over to church in the afternoons when it is quiet and walk along the stone aisles of the church and think about all of the feet that have walked them before me and will walk them after me.

“The building itself speaks of strength, longevity, and stability in our neighborhood. I pray that I might have and convey that same strength, stability, and longevity to all of the folks whose lives I touch.”

At Church of the Gesu in University Heights, Sister Kathleen Flannery serves in a similar ministry as Director of Pastoral Care and Liturgy. Since Gesu is a Jesuit parish, the circumstances differ from St. Aloysius-St. Agatha.

Sister Kathleen’s ministry was created by the Jesuit leadership to assist Jesuit pastors in the administration of their parishes. Her ministry allows them to be more available to serve the spiritual needs of their parishioners and administer sacraments. At Church of the Gesu, this ministry was initiated by Father Tom Sweetser, SJ, and continues to this day.

Sister works along with the current pastor, Father Lukas Laniauskas, SJ, assistant priests, staff members, and members of the parish who serve on various commissions centered on parish life. These include Worship, Faith Formation, Outreach, Community Life, and Administration. The commissions maintain communication among one another and with the parish as a whole in order to keep the focus on living out the parish’s mission statement, “Gesu Parish, a Catholic community in the Jesuit tradition, is committed to: Eucharistic living, Lifelong learning, Generous serving ‘all for the greater glory of God.’” In a parish of nearly 2,300 households, this undertaking can seem overwhelming, but the dedication of the people of the parish as well as the pastoral staff and school faculty provide abundant resources.

Sister Kathleen does not see her ministry in a separate compartment; she sees her life and ministry as an organic whole. “The rhythm of parish life is my rhythm.”

Sisters Mary Jean’s and Kathleen’s ministries at St. AloysiusSt. Agatha and Gesu parishes are both unique expressions of a Church in service and witness to the Gospel.

Sister Kathleen Flannery

Sister Kathleen does not see her ministry in a separate compartment; she sees her life and ministry as an organic whole. “The rhythm of parish life is my rhythm.”