Page 22 - Spring 2019 Extension Magazine

22 INSPIRE

Cover Story

Sister Katerina
Schuth and Pope
Francis at Saint Peter’s
Basilica in Rome

She noted Catholic Exten-
sion’s U.S.-Latin America Sisters
Exchange Program as a good
example. “This initiative is a great
way for men who are preparing for
priesthood to learn from others how
to work in Hispanic ministries, as
they too will serve these popula-
tions,” she said.
More women religious and lay
women are becoming leaders in the
Church. “Women now have many
SISTER KATARINA SCHUTH essential positions in the Church,”
she said. “Lay women, especially,
A LEADING VOICE ON have taken an important place
not only in parishes, but in about
SEMINARY EDUCATION half of U.S. dioceses, women

have major leadership roles.
IS A WOMAN Thus, during parish internships,
a seminarian may experience a
woman as a supervisor.”
An internationally shepherds who “smell” like their Sister Schuth is a member of
known scholar sheep, she said that seminarians are Catholic Extension’s mission com-
mittee to advise on strategies and
learning to better understand who
on seminaries their parishioners are and how the projects. In 2015 she took part in a
brings keen insights Church functions in everyday life. Catholic Extension pilgrimage to
Rome. As the group waited to take a
They are getting to know parishio-
to priestly formation ners on the streets, in their homes photo at the bottom of the steps of
and in informal settings. They are St. Peter’s Basilica, they received a
ister Katarina Schuth, OSF, engaging more fully with people surprise visit from Pope Francis. He
has worked with seminary in their joys and struggles — from stopped in front of her to express
leaders and seminarians for baptisms and parish celebrations to his gratitude for her work, asked
nearly 40 years, published job loss and family problems. her to bring thanks to all the sisters
Sbooks and articles about In these encounters, seminarians in the U.S., and then requested her
them, and seen many changes in are partnering more with women, prayers for him. “It was a blessed
approaches to formation for their who are natural teachers in under- moment, an amazing encounter
ministry. standing people’s personal issues that points to the possibility of great
She advocates for more atten- and treating them with respect. “We things for the future of our Church,”
tion to seminarians’ work outside are teaching seminarians to be she said.
the four walls of churches. Citing good collaborators with women,”
Pope Francis’ call that priests be she said.