July 2004 - Sister Mary Jean Gust
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Not Sr. Mary Jean Gust, a Benedictine nun working in the Diocese of Crookston, Minnesota.
Five years ago, Sister found herself furnishing a new home in a 47-year-old rectory that had been vacant for several years and starting a new career as the pastoral associate of St. Joseph's parish in Fertile. Sister remembers opening the cabinets of the rectory only to find them bare. St. Joseph's - whose weekly collection averages a little more than $400 - had sold the rectory's pots, pans and housewares to help meet church expenses.
"I told my mother, little did I know at this stage of my life that I would be furnishing a new home," Sister Mary Jean recalls.
Determined not to further strain the parish budget, Sister embarked on a 150-mile roundtrip to fetch housewares from a Benedictine convent that was downsizing. At local thrift shops, she found a used couch for $30 and a small desk, and an old table and chairs, which she stripped and refinished herself.
It's that kind of resourcefulness, sacrifice and take-charge attitude that has made Sister a vital asset to this rural Catholic parish. She is the every day pastoral presence for the some 85 Catholic families who live and worship here.
"Sr. Mary Jean virtually does everything," says Monsignor Roger Grundhaus, pastor of St. Joseph's. "The parish just couldn't happen without her."
The shortage of priests nationwide has Msgr. Grundhaus - like many other priests - pulling multiple duties. In addition to serving St. Joseph's parish, he also oversees another parish 20 miles away and is Vicar General for the diocese. "I'm able to stay on top of my parish work because she is there," he adds.
Sr. Mary Jean does everything from overseeing every day parish needs and organizing religious education to visiting the sick and homebound. Last October, she helped parishioners peel more than 200 pounds of potatoes for a roast turkey fundraising dinner at St. Joseph's annual Fall Fest. They served 640 meals to people from miles around. But foremost, says Sister, is being present when people need her, and helping to bring Christ to them in all circumstances.
"I so love to work with the people," she says. "I am energized being with them."
Sr. Mary Jean visits nursing home residents weekly and only two out of 80 are Catholic. Locals are mostly Lutheran and of Scandinavian and Norwegian descent. "But I pray with whoever would like to pray with me," she says.
After her husband died in the nursing home, one woman told Sister, "There are things I can talk to you about that I don't want to talk to my family about."
Many people turn more to God in times of crisis and grief, but Sister also reaches out to those attracted to the Faith through the example of loved ones.
"We have many mixed marriages...the non-Catholic spouse (generally the husband) accompanies the family to church quite regularly," she says.
Many times a 'gentle invitation' is all it takes to attract someone to the Faith, says Sister Mary Jean, "especially as their children prepare to receive the sacraments."
As many as 15 parents help Sister teach religious education, and she is thrilled with how they express their faith and pitch in to keep St. Joseph's running. A former teacher and principal, Sr. Mary Jean is currently training lay people to become directors of the religious education program to ensure the Catholic Faith for generations to come in Fertile.
"Hopefully what I share by my presence just kind of makes their day brighter," she says.
Sr. Mary Jean is one of some 400 missionaries whose salaries are paid with help from Catholic Extension. To learn more about helping a sacrificing missionary like Sr. Mary Jean, please click here: Mission Partner