By Charissa M. Carroll
Head Staff Writer

Along with the explosive growth in lay ministry comes the need to properly train and support the individuals who are called to serve in parish leadership.

With this in mind, the diocese has recently established the Office of Parish Leadership Formation under the direction of Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart Sister Joanna Kerwin.

The new office will be responsible for the creation and implementation of a variety of programs that will form the laity for ministry within their communities. It will also continue and expand upon the Partners in Ministry program run by the former Office of Shared and Collaborative Ministry.

Additionally, the office will act as a valuable resource for clergy and parishioners so that a wide range of pastoral issues will be better served.

Sister Joanna comes to the diocese well prepared to tackle all of these matters, thanks to a background which seems to encompass just about everything.

From a year spent in France studying as a Fulbright scholar to several years teaching languages in high schools and colleges to a tenure spent as director of communications for her religious community, Sister Joanna’s decades of experience have allowed her to serve God in a variety of multifaceted ministries.

But it is her more recent experience in coordinating and implementing adult faith formation for which she holds the greatest passion.

"I have seen such a growth among lay people – a really deep spirituality that is coming out in so many parishes," she noted. "And having the opportunity to use the ability God has given me to try to nurture that spirituality and make it flourish is very fulfilling."

Born and raised in Buffalo, N.Y., Sister Joanna attended Catholic schools throughout her life. Her call to religious life was fostered in high school when she first encountered the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart.

Sister Joanna said she remembers being deeply inspired by "these mature women who truly loved the people they served." Following high school, she continued on to D’Youville College, Buffalo, which was also staffed by the Grey Nuns.

"I met so many brilliant professionals who had advanced degrees, yet they weren’t at all concerned about their own gain," she said. "And I thought, ‘I would like to be like that.’"

After graduating with bachelor’s degrees in French, Spanish and education, Sister Joanna headed off to France on a Fulbright scholarship. While abroad, her desire to enter religious life began to deepen.

"I knew that was where my heart was," she explained. "I just needed to be sure that this was what God was inviting me to be . . . Since I joined my community, I have never had a moment of regret."

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