By Paula Day

Sister Marie Leonard, a silver jubilarian, is a Benedictine sister from Cullman, Ala., and is now pastoral associate at St. Thomas the Apostle parish in Smyrna. She has the distinction of being the first Benedictine to serve in the archdiocese, having come to the Atlanta area 19 years ago to be the director of religious education at St. Jude’s parish in Sandy Springs.

After spending five years at St. Jude’s, Sister Marie went to Holy Cross parish where she was director of adult religious education for 11 years. She has been part of the pastoral staff at St. Thomas for the past three years.

In those 19 years Sister Marie has seen positive changes take place in the archdiocese.

“In the late sixties,” she said, “usually one person would be director of religious education and coordinator for all levels of religious education, from preschool through adult. Now, in a number of parishes there are directors…on each of these levels who are responsible for implementing the educational mission of the Church.”

“On a whole, there are strong religious education programs in the parishes. I’ve seen religious education personnel grow from around 24 to almost 200.”

“Some parishes now have lay pastoral ministers – some are called pastoral associates – ministering in parishes,” she added. “More laity are being allowed to take a more active leadership role in some parishes.”

Sister Marie’s own service parallels these developments. As pastoral minister she is part of a team that makes decisions on a parish level and helps set the vision for St. Thomas the Apostle. She notes the changes in her expanded ministry.

“I work with engaged couples, with annulments, and give spiritual direction and pastoral counseling. My focus is more than education. I am involved in all areas of the parish – parish council, as liaison with the separated and the divorced. I help in decision-making for the whole parish.”

Sister Marie admits that as a young person she entered religious life “after running away from the idea,” but it “came to the point where you know you have to make a decision. The grace of God – the Spirit – kept plugging away. Once I made the decision, I was comfortable with it. I don’t look back, don’t regret.”

Before coming to the archdiocese Sister Marie taught in Florida and Alabama. Her home is Birmingham where her mother still lives. She has an older sister and a younger brother. Her father is deceased.

As a member of her community’s administrative council, Sister Marie makes the three hour and 15 minute trip to Cullman “quite a bit.” For members of the Benedictine.”

“I’ve enjoyed my ministry (at St. Thomas). I think I’ve grown spiritually. Parishioners have ministered to me a lot and helped me grow spiritually. It’s a two-way street.”

The Smyrna parish held a special liturgy and jubilee celebration for Sister Marie on Pentecost Sunday, May 22. The concelebrated Mass was followed by a buffet.

Sister Marie will officially renew her vows at a jubilee celebration May 28 at the Benediction motherhouse in Cullman.

Reflecting on her 25 years as a Benedictine sister, she said, “My family and my community mean a lot to me. My community is not only a support but there’s a bondedness there. We share ups and downs together.”