February 2008 - Sister Ellen Corcoran, SCSJA
by Marion Amberg
On the eastern edge of the Gallup Diocese, Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Seboyeta, N.M., may be at the tail end of a lonely highway off I-40 between Gallup and Albuquerque, but Sister Ellen Corcoran, SCSJA, isn't about to let this centuries-old parish die - physically or spiritually.
As pastoral administrator, Sister Ellen serves as catechist, liturgy coordinator, secretary, building- and-grounds inspector, parish record keeper, friend, counselor, presider at funeral services (when no priest is available) and fundraiser for the 1820 adobe church that's in desperate need of repair.
The church's foundation has shifted, causing one wall to separate from the ceiling of the sacristy, says Sister Ellen, 55. To alleviate the mold and water damage this has caused, the mission is seeking help from friends of Catholic Extension with the $9,500 repair bill.
And that's just the beginning of Sister Ellen's duties. The Milwaukee native is also pastoral administrator for Our Lady of Light Church in Cubero and St. Joseph Mission in San Fidel. All three missions are run on a shoestring budget.
"We do not have a priest assigned to us," explains Sister Ellen, "and because we don't have a regular Mass schedule, we don't have a regular collection."
When a priest from another parish can come to say Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows or Our Lady of Light, which have about 50 families each, the offering might total $50 to $100, says Sister Ellen. Many parishioners - descendants of Spanish settlers who arrived here in 1800 - are retired or receiving disability after working in the uranium mines.
"My religious community made financial sacrifices for me to come here," says Sister Ellen, a Sister of Charity of St. Joan Antida, a congregation that began in France and takes a fourth vow of service to the poor in addition to chastity, obedience and poverty. "The $300 monthly subsidy is a tremendous gift."
Sister Ellen's stipend, however, is doubly important. It also helps support Sister Mary Kainz, another St. Joan Antida follower, who ministers to the many sick and homebound. Before Sister Mary's arrival last year, says Sister Ellen, some homebound in this very rural area were feeling isolated and even abandoned by the Church. The missions had been without an active pastoral minister for several years.
"They are so grateful to have someone come pray with them or bring them Communion," says Sister Ellen. "We also keep in phone contact with them."
As frugal as these two sisters are, they live by faith and pray for their daily needs - even money for the next delivery of diesel oil to heat their residence, which dates back to 1920.
"It gives us a great sense of hope knowing people care about our situation," says Sister Ellen, "and who support us not only financially but with prayers as well."
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