St. Brendan was the first parish I worked as an intern when I first came to the United States in 2005. Everyone was new and everything was different. I met Mary Ann there. She was a secretary at the parish with her sister Judi. They welcomed me and taught me how to live in the foreign soil.
Mary Ann had four grand children living next to her house. I got to know them and we played and went to the Cleveland Zoo. The parish life during the first two summers was exciting and opening me to the new culture. Mary Ann was always there to answer my questions and to correct my English pronunciations. I felt comfortable at St. Brendan and considered it my home parish.
When I was ordained priest in 2007, Mary Ann and Chuck celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. It was a joyful and meaningful moment we have shared together since then. In the meantime, her sister Judi got sick and became dependant. Mary Ann had taken care of her in her house. As I visited Mary Ann, there were always Judi, Chuck, Sean, Collin, Julia and Jessica who became my family. I saw how Mary Ann loved her sister to the end, being always loving to her grand children. Mary Ann’s house was another school where I learned how to love selflessly.
After Judi died, Mary Ann struggled. But, she still has four children to concern about. She admits that not being concerned might not be her thing. I see that makes who she is—caring, and loving. When I am with her, I feel I am with someone who is close to God and she has showed Jesus through her self-giving words and deeds.
Mary Ann is the ninth Christ.