Glenmary
Home Missioners
P.O. Box 465618
Cincinnati, OH 45246
513-874-8900
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Missioner in Action—Kathy O'Brien
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Putting faith into action
Lay missioner’s commitment to prayer energizes her work in the home missions
by Brother David Henley
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| Kathy O’Brien teaches a class at Glenmary’s St. Jude mission in Waldron, Ark. |
In 1971, Kathy O’Brien read these words in a Glenmary Lay Missioners’ brochure: “Is God Calling You to Witness to Christ in Mission Land, USA?” And she responded by volunteering for two weeks of Vacation Bible School in a home mission county. She took a 24-hour bus ride from her home in Fond du Lac, Wis., to Glenmary’s Immaculate Conception mission in West Point, Miss., and began a journey that continues today.
As she served in Mississippi alongside other lay missioners and Glenmary Father John Marquardt, she found her calling. She signed up to serve two weeks but extended her stay for an extra week. Between the two weeks, Father Marquardt led a day of recollection that focused on “putting one’s faith in action” and it was then that Kathy determined she would do just that and join the Glenmary Lay Missioners. In 1974, she entered the five-year formation program.
The Glenmary Lay Missioners, a secular institute, was founded in 1957 to serve as an independent group of lay persons who would work alongside Glenmarians in the missions. These lay missioners made vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and committed themselves to the rural mission charism.
Kathy continues to actively serve in the missions today as pastoral associate at St. Jude mission in Waldron, Ark. Other lay missioners, Elizabeth Coleville, Mary Luebbe and Marilyn Riehle are retired and live in Cincinnati, Ohio.
As a lay missioner, Kathy has worked in missions in West Point, Miss.; West Union, Ohio; Atlanta, Texas; Pulaski, Tenn. Her apostolic ministries in these missions have included counseling, teaching RCIA, directing religious education, outreach to the unchurched, retreat director, youth group leader and parish administrator.
A hallmark of her outreach has been simply knocking on doors. Within one year of moving to Pulaski, Tenn., Kathy had knocked on the door of every inactive Catholic in the county. She says home visits are a way to build a personal relationship with people and a wonderful way to share her faith. Kathy has been nourished over the years by her deep faith, prayer and her relationship with Jesus. Her commitment to prayer, she says, energizes her as she “turns everything over to the Lord on a daily basis. People are looking for love and I try to share the love I have received [through my faith] with those that I meet.”
Kathy wears many hats at St. Jude including directing the RCIA and adult formation programs, teaching sacramental preparation classes and leading the youth group.
She’s also involved in the greater community. She currently serves on the Scott County Health Education Coalition, volunteers as treasurer of the local ministerial alliance, teaches court-ordered parenting classes and leads a county forum on underage drinking issues. She is also well-known as an interpreter for the Spanish-speaking community.
Her ministry is one of presence. “People know that I’m here and know that I am available,” she says. “They know they can come to me when they need help and my door is always open.”
Kathy’s positive response to God’s call has led her to 34 years of witnessing to Christ in Mission Land, U.S.A., and there’s no doubt that there will be many more years to come.
The story above first appeared in the Autumn 2008 Glenmary Challenge.
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