Mercy Sister Mary Bendyna new director of CARA

Published: 2004-04-30

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Mercy Sister Mary E. Bendyna has been named executive director of the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate in Washington. She is the first woman and first woman religious to head the 40-year-old independent Catholic research organization, which specializes in research on Catholic life, education, ministry, organization and leadership. Sister Mary started working with CARA in 1998 as a consultant, was a research associate from 1999 to 2001 and has been a senior research associate since 2001. Since last July she has been CARA's interim director. "Sister Mary brings a wealth of talent and experience to the position," said Bishop John J. Leibrecht of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Mo., chairman of the CARA board of directors. He announced her appointment at the board's spring meeting April 22.

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