Sr. Mary Smith serves as director of pastoral services for our congregation and is assisted by a team of sisters.
| Sr. Mary Smith consults via phone with a sister inquiring about moving to Assisi House, one of our two retirement residences. |
Sr. Mary Smith's connection with the Sisters of St. Francis began in her grade school years at Immaculate Conception School in Towson, Maryland and continued through her high school years at Towson Catholic. "I admired our sisters as faith-filled and joyful women and will always be grateful for their influence in my life and their witness that inspired me to follow a call to Franciscan life.," she said.
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Although Sr. Mary's early years in ministry were spent in education, most of her years in the congregation have been spent in counseling and social work--a fitting preparation for her current ministry as director of the congregation's pastoral services office. For Mary and the five sisters on her staff, pastoral services involves "supporting our sisters in maintaining optimum health and well-being so as to be all the more available to live and witness our Gospel life. Responding to the call to be 'sister to one another' is the heart of our ministry" On any given day, a member of the team might be assisting a sister who is making plans for surgery or for recuperation at Assisi House, seeking a consult about a health issue, visiting the hospital, meeting with a sister about a major life transition, supporting a sister dealing with the death of a loved one, or planning an educational program. Each team member, however has a specific role in the overall department plan.
Associate director Sr. Anne Dorice DeFebbo, works with sisters who are caregivers, coordinates health assessments for sisters over 80, holds annual workshops for sisters who do the assessments, serves on the Wellness Committee and the Senior Sisters Advisory Board, and writes a column for Community News on a health-related issue.
| Srs. Anne Dorice and Mary Smith make plans for the 2017 workshop for sisters who assist with assessments for sisters over 80. |
Sr. Doris Johnson coordinates information on the deaths of sisters and family members. Volunteers Srs. Catherine Ginther, Patricia Kane, and Betty Kane communicate this information via voice mail. Volunteer Sr. Jo Ann McPolin sends sympathy and get-well cards.
| Sr. Doris Johnson gives Sr. Mary the list of sisters who have lost loved ones as wll as information on funeral arrangements. |
Srs. Theresa Elitz and Jane LaManna provide clinical nursing services and serve on the Wellness Community of Interest Group.
| Sr. Jane LaManna updates Sr. Mary about the needs of a sister who is being discharged from the hospital. |
Administrative assistant Sr. Theresa Yanda works on specific projects and helps with planning the annual health assessments, care-giving activities, workshops, and committee meetings.
| Srs. Theresa Yanda, Theresa Elitz, and Mary Smith check the list of sister volunteers who will be doing assessments for sisters 80 and above. |
Sr. Mary herself sees her work with the pastoral services team--and with the sisters they serve--as a blessing. "I am inspired by the depth of faith and courage of our sisters as they encounter the challenges of life circumstances," she explained. "I enjoy being with our sisters--offering support and affirmation, benefitting from their wisdom, exploring ways to enhance health and well-being, and listening to the movement of God's grace in their lives." she explained. On a daily basis, Mary's work is a reminder of the fragility of our humanity and the need for utter dependency on God's goodness and loving care. It is also a reminder to give back what she has received. "I think of how generously our sisters have lovingly supported me throughout my life," she explained. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to return in a small way what has already been shared with me."
