10 minute read
The Heart of Parish Ministry
In all ways, as we move forward together with Jesus Christ, let us connect faith with life.
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Sister Joyanne Sullivan, St. Dominic Parish, Eagle Rock, California
Whether in poor, urban settings; affluent, suburban
neighborhoods; or Hispanic communities
with predominantly Spanish-speaking
congregations, Catholic churches have
long been anchors in their communities.
Sisters of Notre Dame have played a vital
role in parishes across the country, at
first in addition to their teaching duties
at the school and often today as full-time
parish ministers. Working with people of
all ages and backgrounds is experienced
as a blessing.
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The Heart
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of Parish Ministry
Perhaps Sister Marilyn Ann Angel, SND, Faith Formation Director at Immaculate Conception Parish in Port Clinton, Ohio, describes parish ministry best: “It is a sacred privilege. As I go about my ministry from day to day, I am reminded that I don’t walk alone. I walk with Jesus Christ, my companions on staff, and the adults and children of the parish where I serve.”
“I had the joy of walking with 37 RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) inquirers and their sponsors who have joined our Catholic community throughout the years,” Sister Marilyn Ann replies with a smile. “Our Ave Maria Study Club focuses on enhancing the spirituality of women, and I serve as their spiritual director. Another group of active women in our parish is Altar Rosary Society of which I am moderator. This group keeps members abreast of many issues: peace and justice, women’s issues, human trafficking, battered women, etc.
She continues, “I also direct our Parish Religious Education Program which includes mentoring catechists. Our program consists of children in grades 1-6 and Year 1 and Year 2 Confirmation candidates. I also conduct First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation meetings with the parents, and lead the sacramental retreats. It is a true joy to plan all the sacramental celebrations. For our Confirmation candidates, I invite young adults from the Culture Project (dedicated to addressing critical human rights issues by creating and supporting artistic work that amplifies marginalized voices) who provide presentations on Human Dignity, Sexual Integrity and Social Media. I also work with volunteers to organize and implement our Children’s Liturgy of the Word program, proclaiming the gospel to God’s little ones each Sunday.
“Immaculate Conception’s parish ministry has grown over the years and currently includes 55 active ministries of volunteers who move together with Jesus Christ to connect faith with life,” she exclaims. “The most recent ministry is a Social Concern Ministry which focuses on issues of capital punishment, drug overdoses, natural disaster relief, and other current social issues. The greatest need within parishes today is connecting people who have faith with those who have no faith.”
Port Clinton, Ohio
Across the country, Sister Teresita Keliher, SND, works at St. Philip Parish in Pasadena, California. She states, “I am presently ministering in a multicultural parish, which provides many opportunities to learn and grow in my own faith. We have so much to learn from one another. Harnessing the power of working together, we live out Christ’s commandment to love and care for one another in the Church we are building today – not only for ourselves but for future generations.” battered women, etc.” For the past 40 years, Sister Teresita has worked in parish ministry in a variety of ways. “One thing I have learned is to be adaptable. Most of my ministry has been in religious education, preparing programs for children of all ages and working with teachers and parents and instructing them on their faith journeys,” she describes. “Working in parish life has opened up many new areas of interest: ministering to the sick and elderly, preparing and assisting at liturgies, working with new parents to prepare for their child’s Baptism, and preparing lectors and Eucharistic ministers. Probably the most important aspect of parish ministry is simply being there every day to offer support and encouragement.” Sister Michelyn Beckerich, SND, has been active in parish ministry at Holy Spirit Parish in Newport, Kentucky, for nine years. She finds working with elderly individuals within her parish particularly rewarding. “I visit the sick at their homes or in nursing homes. They are so happy to see me. It has been difficult continuing this ministry during the pandemic,” Sister Michelyn admits. In addition to pastoral care, she reads at Mass, is a member of the choir, and greets people before Mass. “There are many ministries beside these: Altar Society, Foresters, and helping families plan funeral arrangements. Holy Spirit Parish has a garden to raise vegetables for those who are hungry, in addition to our monthly collections.” Sister Elaine Winter, SND, has served at The Community of the Good Shepherd Parish in Cincinnati, Ohio, for 10 years. Her main responsibility as Director of Faith Formation is working with the Preschool Coordinator, Youth Minister (who coordinates grades 7-12), College Minister, and Adult Coordinator.”
“Our parish has more than 4,000 families living in a
- Sister Marilyn Ann Angel, SND, Faith Formation Director at Immaculate Conception Parish, Port Clinton, Ohio
suburban area north of Cincinnati. Most of the adults have a college education, and many work at Procter and Gamble and are transient. We have a variety of cultures and countries represented.”
Additional ministries within Good Shepherd Parish include Sanctity of Life Ministry, homelessness services in Greater Cincinnati, 55+ Ministry, Wellness Ministries, Bereavement Ministry, and Caring Hands Home Assistance, to name a few. “We have a huge outreach program. One of our outreach programs is Shepherd’s Share. At each of our four church entrances we have blue bins for Shepherd’s Share. The items are taken to St. Francis Ministries located in downtown Cincinnati,” Sister Elaine states.
She adds, “The greatest challenge is trying to connect with people, help people feel welcome, and invite them to participate in parish life. Our parish council is called ‘The Assembly of Leaders’ (AOL) and includes 72 people. We meet quarterly and break out into four groups – Liturgy, Pastoral Care and Outreach, Education and Faith Formation, and Stewardship. People offer suggestions as to what our parish needs to work on in each of these areas in keeping with our parish mission and vision. AOL members vote to choose the three top priorities which become the goals for the next year.”
“For me, parish ministry is engaging with people right where they are!” says Sister Jolisa Lazaro, SND.
The Heart
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“Parish ministry is the stomping ground, where the people of God come together to celebrate the Sacraments, break bread in Eucharist, pray in humble adoration, grow in deeper faith, and volunteer service to individuals who are poor. Parish Ministry is where one experiences the ebb and flow of life.”
Sister Jolisa ministered at St. Anthony Parish in downtown Long Beach, California for eight years. “At this very multicultural, welcoming and vibrant parish, I organized the Renew Program along with the lay ministry leaders. The Renew Program is where Catholics come together to pray and reflect on the Scriptures. There is a need for smaller supportive communities within the parish where faith can be shared and strengthened,” Sister Jolisa states. “After the three-year program, we celebrated the 100th anniversary of this parish. Many small groups continued to gather to have weekly Bible studies.”
Sister Jolisa was also the Director for Liturgy and the Spanish RCIA, encouraging lay leadership through training and workshops. “Strengthening their confidence in their specific ministry was always my goal so that, eventually, the light of Christ’s love continues to shine for all who step on the parish grounds at St. Anthony, known as the Mother Church of Long Beach.” Sister Jolisa now works at St. Lucy Parish, located on the west side of Long Beach. Another multicultural and welcoming parish, Sister says the only difference is that the parishioners are economically poor. “One would not know the people are impoverished because of the genuine, joy-filled spirit and kindness parishioners show,” Sister Jolisa describes. “They are so grateful for everything they have – family, food, faith, Mass and adoration outdoors along with time to volunteer and help others.” At St. Lucy’s, Sister Jolisa serves as Assistant Director for Religious Education, Confirmation Team member, resource teacher for the catechists, and Parish Liaison Coordinator for the Missionary Discipleship Pathway Program. The Missionary Discipleship Pathway Program is a series of evangelizing experiences offered to any adults who are curious about or seeking to explore and deepen their relationship with Jesus.
The dynamic sister’s ultimate objective as a parish minister at St. Lucy, as at St. Anthony Parish, is simple: “I want to be an example of what it truly means to be a servant leader and always try to follow one of my favorite quotes: ‘You have been told what is good, and what the Lord requires of you…act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with your God.’” (Micah 6:8)
Sister Marilyn Zgonc, SND, is in her seventh year in parish ministry at St. Ladislas Church in Westlake, Ohio. Previously, she was involved for seven years
- Sister Jolisa Lazaro, SND, St. Lucy Parish, Long Beach, California
in parish ministry at St. Mary Parish in Elyria, Ohio. “At both parishes, I was blessed to minister to the senior population since they hold a special place in my heart,” she says.
Sister Marilyn continues, “Before this pandemic, I was so grateful to bring the Eucharist to our homebound parishioners, which I’m still doing on a more limited schedule. Since we are unable to visit nursing facilities now, I look forward to the time when I’ll be able to conduct Liturgy of the Word services in these facilities and share the Holy Eucharist with them.”
St. Ladislas Parish, comprised of approximately 1,500 parishioners, is extremely involved in social justice issues. “Our Hunger Center prepares nutritional, wholesome meals at St. Patrick’s Church and St. Ignatius of Antioch Church, both located in Cleveland, Ohio. Our parish also distributes about $800,000 each year, donated from grocery and other stores.”
“One of the greatest needs within parishes today is evangelization,” Sister Marilyn thoughtfully reflects. “To quote Bishop Robert Barron, ‘There are far more ex-Catholics than Catholics in the U.S.A., and the fastest growing category of religious affiliation is none.’ St. Ladislas is blessed with a dynamic Evangelization Committee which meets monthly to reach out to the unbaptized and those seeking Confirmation.”
Sister Judy Bucco, SND, has served as Director of Religious Education at St. Joan of Arc (SJA) Parish in Chagrin Falls, Ohio since 2004. “The greatest need at SJA is Adult Faith Formation and involvement in faith activities for families,” she says. “I involve 16-18 parents as Confirmation Team Leaders each year for our instructional Parish Confirmation Sessions; several others in our Vacation Bible Camp; and additional volunteers for Jesus Day preparations and as Jesus Day Group Leaders. This is a small way to involve adults and children together, but I think an effective one.”
Other parish ministries Sister Judy participates in include preparing children for the Sacraments of Confirmation, Reconciliation and Eucharist; the Parish School of Religion (PSR); the Family Religion Program (Parents give direct instruction at home to their children.); Vacation Bible Camp; and Parish Service Day.
“I love being the administrator of our PSR Program and working with Catechists and our children!” she exclaims. “When I observe classrooms, I find how much our children express a desire to continue to grow in their relationship with Jesus and in their knowledge and love for our faith and our Church. I also love facilitating parent meetings for the Sacraments and including a panel of parents who share how they were a part of the process.” Sister Susan Javorek, SND, sums it up well. “Ministry at Holy Angels Parish these 20+ years has revealed to me the Body of Christ in very visible and tangible ways. It has offered me the privilege of walking with people in their joys and heartaches, their moments of conflict, their forgiveness and peace. My heart has been greatly expanded by learning, questioning, praying, celebrating, serving and visioning with so many people living their faith.”
Why not become more involved in your faith and local parish? To learn more about parish ministry, visit sndusa.org to connect with the SND regional office closest to you.
Sister Marilyn Zgonc gives communion to parishioners of Ministry of Care program.
