little Flower high School for Girls on property one mile away from the church. a few years later it became a co-ed school, as it is today. So, we have a long presence here and a lot of loyalties from the past. S. Mary alicia and i, as well as associates Jack hoolehan, randy husaynu and Jamie Kelly, strive to live the Charity charism and continue the generous service begun here many years ago.” “i am a joyful and thankful ‘daughter of the Church’ participating in daily liturgy, quiet prayer, parish events, and an active ministry. as for many women religious in the Church, there are things that are difficult to overcome. however, i do what i can in my present time and situation. “i feel a commitment, at this time,” Sister relates, “to keeping an SC presence in Michigan, a state where many of us heard the call of our vocation to leave and travel to Cincinnati! in fact, it was in the Shrine schools where i became acquainted and attracted to the Sisters of Charity. So, i have come full circle. i never could have imagined being in ministry here because in our younger days, we seemed to be sent far from home. Ever since becoming more familiar with Elizabeth’s faithfulness to meeting ‘the grace of the moment’ i understand better that experience in my daily life in parish ministry. what grace abounds!”
S, Irene Mraz Bedford, Ohio although retired from formal ministry as of July 2011, S. irene Mraz continues as a dedicated sacristan in the parish of our lady of hope in bedford, ohio. Prior to retiring, S. irene amassed a wealth of experiences that would serve her well in her many years in pastoral ministry. Sister entered the Vincentian Sisters of Charity of bedford when she was just 16 years old, bolstered with a strong desire to “do things for and with others.” She taught elementary grades in the Cleveland diocese from 1951 until 1968 when she assumed religious coordination activities first at St. Pius X, bedford (1975-’79) and then at St. Mary in bedford (1979-’81). Sister also served as a missionary in El Salvador and devoted 12 years in servant leadership to her Congregation. in 1999, S. irene began her pastoral ministry at St. Pius X. over the years, she attended diocesan district meetings; planned parish programs with staff; and worked with the parish pastoral council. Sister coordinated the extraordinary ministers of the holy Eucharist, the lectors, greeters and adult and student servers for liturgies. She enjoyed one-on-one conversations with parishioners and facilitated bible study groups and women’s gatherings. Sister continues to participate as a volunteer in the bible study group consisting of 16 people who meet weekly. they share in the popular little rock Scripture Study program that features videos, study guides and shared prayer.
Christmas in July, clothing collections for the poor and a ministry to westside Catholic Center with food and household articles. She also collected donations for an El Salvador clinic providing prosthetic devices to the sick and injured. our lady of hope parishioners provide holy Spirit parish with food for the poor on a monthly basis. in addition, the parish collects toys for children at the Cosgrove Center in Cleveland for Christmas delivery. one of S. irene’s greatest challenges as a pastoral minister was the merger of a cluster of Cleveland diocesan parishes beginning in 2007, when the bishops asked for the merger or possible closing of several parishes. Sister explained, “we secured a transition team that met monthly with other parishes for 18 months. we brought to the table the realities of each parish including demographics, finances, parish needs/assets, real estate holdings, conditions of buildings, the number of practicing Catholics, and those who attended Church less frequently. we had to be honest and open to say things as they were. we needed a lot of prayer. we got through it. holy trinity, bedford heights and St. Mary, bedford, merged with St. Pius X in bedford to form our lady of hope parish. “through all of the transitions, there was the underlying joy of having a wonderful welcoming community of those who came together at our lady of hope. we are a prayerful, loving, participative parish who truly learned the art of change, the joy of change in an extraordinary way,” exclaimed S. irene. after experiencing the great changes of parish mergers, S. irene said, “i am overjoyed with our merger with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati [2004]. it is wonderful!” “Elizabeth ann Seton inspires me with her energetic spirit, her enthusiasm to do the will of God in all things and her ever-abiding faith and love in the presence of God in everyday moments,” concluded S. irene.
Retired from active ministry, S. Irene Mraz is a sacristan at Our Lady of Hope parish in Bedford, Ohio.
S. irene initiated outreach ministries such as bake sales, wintEr/SPrinG 2012
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