Celebrating Pastoral Care Week: Meet Sister Mary Mundy

Note: This week is Pastoral Care Week, October 23-29, and the 2022 theme is “Relevant and Responsive in Times of Crises.” During this week, we will highlight through our blog some of our sisters who minister in pastoral care.

Sister Mary Mundy, SP, has ministered as a pastoral associate within the Diocese of Evansville for 30 years, including the past 15 at Holy Rosary Parish.

“I work with a great staff and wonderful parishioners,” Sister Mary said. “The expression, ‘Time flies when you are having fun’ may be true, but I’d say it’s just as true to stay ‘Time flies when you are passionate about your life and ministry.’ And that I am!”

Sister Mary said while teaching as an elementary teacher at inner-city schools, she felt the strong call of pastoral ministry and knew she had to follow her heart.

“My love for the children and their families was sincere,” Sister Mary admitted. “My care for them didn’t stop at the end of the school day or at the end of the school year. Though I loved teaching, I felt an invitation to be more available to persons in a pastoral sort of way.

“I realized one of the gifts God gave me was the ability to listen to words spoken and to that which had no words. I was no expert. I was an ordinary woman who was approachable. People trusted me. God bless them. Perhaps the God in them saw the God in me!”

Since leaving the education ministry, Sister Mary said she has ministered in pastoral counseling, spiritual direction, youth ministry, preaching at Sunday Masses, feeding the hungry and assisting with rent and utility bills, in addition to facilitating retreat days, leading prayer services, visiting hospitals and health care facilities, overseeing liturgical ministries, being a presence at baptisms and funerals as well as many more.

“One of my greatest joys these days is sitting and listening to the wisdom of those ripening with age in their homes and health care facilities,” she said.

Sister Mary said she believes that those in pastoral care must ground themselves every morning for time of prayer, quiet reflection and listening to God.

“I believe a deep and abiding relationship with our Provident God is important and enhances all others,” she said. “That relationship with God is something I’m passionate about.”