Sister Zerr shares about life in ministry

Sister Lucille Zerr of St. Mary Cathedral has lived the religious life for 59 years. This summer she will retire after years of teaching, ministry and service. In this week's Ministry Focus, Zerr shares her thoughts about life in the ministry, upcoming events with her church and thoughts on the Catholic church's new pope. Q: Tell us a little about yourself. A: I was born in St. Peters, Mo., and my parents moved to St. Charles, Mo., when I was 1. I went to St. Peters Grade School and high school. I worked at a bank for five years and felt the calling to the religious life. I knew several other sisters and experienced how they lived the religious life. I joined the School Sisters of Notre Dame in January 1952 and professed in 1954. For 59 years I have lived the religious life. I have taught in 12 schools in Missouri and Illinois. Sometimes I like to say I'm being recycled. I taught seventh grade here from 1964 to 1968. I left and taught in other schools and came back in 1989. I've ministered to Catholics who have fallen away. I'm retiring in June. I oversee the RCIA Program for people who are interested in learning more and becoming Catholic. I've worked with the Catholic Food Panty, grief care, communion calls, visits to homebound and hospitals and served as the spiritual director for the diocese region seven, the Council of Catholic Women, and am on the board for the Salvation Army. We work together with poor people with needs. If we can't help someone, we send them there. And if they can't help someone, they send them to us. I'm on the board for Parish Vincent De Paul Society. I've been collecting for the MDA for six years. I've helped sponsor blood drives at the church for several years. I work at the Catholic Food Pantry every Tuesday and Friday. I finished college in Notre Dame College in St. Louis and got my master's degree from Notre Dame University. Q: How long have you been a member of your faith? A: Since I was born. Through high school, I felt the calling to religious life. Q: What inspired you to go into the ministry? A: I prayed a lot and it was an answer to prayer. I had the example of sisters who taught me in school, and they always seemed happy, caring, loving and understanding. I would make visits to church and during times of prayer, I felt a strong inclination to the religious life. Q: What's the greatest blessing you've experienced in the ministry? A: Raising the Catholic faith has been a blessing and being called to the religious life. Being raised in a prayerful, Catholic family is a blessing. My immediate and extended family is always prayerful, kind and loving, and reached out to others, to help in their needs. I have two aunts who were religious sisters and others like two cousins who became priests. There have been people who touched my life, my family and poor people in their needs who have been a blessing. If I can reach out to them, it's a blessing. And it will be a blessing to retire. The School Sisters of Notre Dame provide a retirement place that is beautiful and will meet my needs, the Veronica House in St. Louis in De Paul Hospital. Q: What's the greatest challenge you've experienced in the ministry? A: Be like Jesus to all people I meet. To be kind, loving and understanding and reach out and meet their needs. Q: What upcoming events does your church have? A: As I retire, I would like for people who have touched my life to continue to be faithful to the faith and continue to contribute to the Catholic Food Pantry. The weekend of June 22, I will meet people after the masses to thank them for what they've done for me and have a reception after the third service. We also have a yard sale for the Catholic Food Pantry June 6 through 8 at St. Mary's school gym, and a benefit concert for the food pantry on May 5 at Old St. Vincent Cathedral. Q: What's your favorite Bible verse and why? A: The verse that says, "Whatsoever you do, you do unto me." What I do to other people, I hope that is what Jesus would do and He would be present. Q: What makes your church unique? A: I think the pastor is very Christ-like and prayerful. He treats people with kindness and gentleness and understanding. We have a faith-filled people who live their faith. The office staff is loving to work with. There are plenty of activities for people to practice and grow in their faith. Q: What ongoing ministries does your church have that people might be interested in? A: There are study groups, opportunities for prayer, service, worship services, Catholic masses, opportunities to receive the sacraments. We are a caring community who cares about each other. Q: What are your thoughts on the new pope? A: He is a very humble, prayerful person who's great for the church at this time in history. He drove his own car, cooked his own meals and wants to help the poor. He's written books on spirituality and meditation and spoken out against abortion and same-sex marriage. He is a holy, prayerful man, devoted to the poor and defender of church teaching. Pertinent address: 615 William St., Cape Girardeau, Mo. ughts