Sister Mary Tomlinson, SP, Guerin Outreach Ministries Development Coordinator

Where/when were you born?

Chicago, 9/28/47

Where do you live now?

North side of Chicago, in the Lakeview neighborhood

Schools attended and degrees received:

When did you enter the Sisters of Providence?

In 1990 — I was in my early forties.

Jobs and titles you’ve held, dates in those positions:

  • Marian College, Indianapolis: Systems Consultant – organized long range systems plan for the college. 1990-1991
  • Canonical Novice – worked with our older Sisters in the Activity Department. 1991-1992
  • Vocation Director, Congregation of the Passion 1992-1996
  • Providence Administrative Services: Consultant (self-employed ministry.) 1997-2005
  • (Volunteer for PFS; did fund-raising, grant writing, facilitation for Advisory Board. 2002-2008.)
  • Student 2006-2008 SMWC; in the Woods External Degree program.
  • Guerin Outreach Ministries, Inc. Development Coordinator, 2008-present.

Hobbies:

Crochet and Needlepoint

Favorite Quote:

“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a future full of hope. When you call me, when you go to pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me with you.” Jeremiah 29:11-14.

Finish the sentence: “I choose to be a part of Guerin Outreach Ministries because . . .

I believe this ministry chose me. For several years, I had volunteered at Providence Family Services doing grant writing, finding fund-raising opportunities and general facilitation of the Advisory Board. When I graduated from SMWC in 2008, I had no sense of a new ministry. One day, it occurred to me that perhaps my enthusiasm for the work was, indeed Providence was calling me to serve PFS doing full-time development work. It was at that same time that PFS became part of GOM and unexpectedly I was asked to become Development Coordinator for all the GOM ministries. It was wonderful that persons involved with the GOM start-up had faith in my ability to do this work. When I was searching for a new ministry, my two criteria were that it used my skills, was energizing and life-giving. I have found that ministry with Guerin Outreach Ministries.