by Carole Anne Scott

With the departure of Sr. Virginia Bobrowski, Sacred Heart lost a favorite pastoral associate. Most parishioners didn’t realize, however, that Sister had a replacement in training, one whom she had been mentoring along the way. That special person is none other than longtime parishioner and Roslindale resident, Kathy Sherrod. Recently, Kathy was officially appointed to a twenty-hour-a-week position at Sacred Heart, joining another layperson, John Scanlon, as a pastoral associate. In her new role, Kathy will serve as the coordinator of the parish’s many volunteers. She will be responsible for recruiting and training them; helping with their spiritual development by running days of recollection and retreats; and supporting them with whatever resources they may need.

Ever since receiving a special message from God, Kathy has been preparing for this unique role. Pointing to her obviously well-worn rosary beads in their torn and tattered case, she explained to me that she had been at a prayer breakfast, using those very beads, one of which is missing from the third decade, when she heard God speaking to her, saying, "Those rosary beads aren’t perfect, but you can still use them. You’re not perfect either, but I can still use you." She stated that the message allayed her fears of not being worthy, by putting things into perspective for her and making her realize that serving is a question of willingness, not a matter of worthiness.

While still holding down a fulltime job as a management analyst for the Federal Government’s Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD"), Kathy enrolled in the Archdiocesan Institute for Ministry

("AIM") program, which is unfortunately now defunct, but which was then a valued means of training lay volunteers. The courses she took were varied and ranged from theologically-based offerings on topics such as basic Catholic beliefs and the history and current state of the Church to practical offerings on leadership skills for volunteers, bereavement ministry, and theological reflection.

During this time, Sr. Virginia supervised Kathy’s work and submitted evaluations on her as part of the AIM program. Gradually, Kathy was able to assume additional responsibilities, eventually taking over from Sister the task of training the Eucharistic ministers. Kathy explains, "Sister challenged me to grow. For example, I found making Communion calls to be scary at first, but then I became comfortable with it."

Gradually Kathy went from making individual Communion calls at Cliffmont House to leading an entire Communion service there.

Her comfort level with these activities reached its culmination in this year’s Ash Wednesday observances when she found herself leading the 3:00 p.m. service at Sacred Heart Church, along with John Scanlon. The moment was particularly poignant for her because during her early years of training, she had always maintained, "I want to be John Scanlon when I grow up." Now in a seemingly heaven-sent answer to that wish, she is going to be serving the parish in that same role.

Unabashedly expressing her affection for Sacred Heart, Kathy stated, "I just want to serve, to do whatever I can because the parish has done so much for us. It is our extended family, and I want to be able to give back." Listening to her story, it is easy to see why Kathy feels this way.

Her association here began when her parents, seeking better job opportunities, moved from Lowell where her Dad’s family was based to Roslindale where her Mom’s family had a strong presence in nearby Holy Name and St. Theresa parishes. At the time, Kathy was on summer vacation and about to enter the ninth grade. She spent that initial year at the Washington Irving before matriculating to Roslindale High.

Moving on to business school, she was soon employed by HUD, originally as a clerk stenographer.

Responding to a knock on her door one day, she opened it to find a colonel in the Army Reserves out recruiting. Engaged by the personal invitation to join the Reserves (a method that she sees as key for parishes too), she signed on, eventually becoming a commissioned officer with a specialty in nuclear, chemical, and biological warfare.

Her career as a reservist took on a most welcome though unexpected twist when she met her husband Merveyn "Bud" Sherrod, also a command officer in the Reserves. The two were married, moved to an apartment in Dedham, saved their money, and came back to her beloved Roslindale where they bought a home in Sacred Heart Parish.

Happily married with two wonderful sons, Michael, then age seven and Patrick, then five, tragedy entered their lives when Bud suffered a fatal heart attack at the young age of forty-five. Kathy stated, "I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Monsignor Carlson [then an associate pastor at Sacred Heart and now the pastor at Holy Name] because he came to the house and talked to the boys about Daddy dying and what that meant. At the time, I didn’t even know where to begin to explain to them about what had happened. At their young age, they had not yet experienced death and dying." The experience was pivotal in shaping Kathy’s view of Sacred Heart. As she pointed out, "It has been especially since that time that I have come to recognize Sacred Heart as my extended family."

With her boys enrolled in the parish school, Kathy participated in all the activities that they were doing, including Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, roller-skating parties, youth basketball, and ski trips. She also became active in the Sacred Heart Home and School Association. Devoted to her two sons, she was quick to accommodate their requests. When they expressed fears about her serving in the Army Reserves, she resigned her commission.

As the boys got older, Kathy was free to branch out to join activities in which she was interested, though she quips that Msgr. Kelley was quick to steer her toward those tasks where he needed her participation! Among the many parish groups that Kathy has belonged to are the Centennial Committee, Eucharistic Ministers, Prayer Group, Pastoral Council, Finance Committee, Bible Study, Eucharistic Adoration, and Respect Life Committee.

Among the highlights of her life, Kathy numbers her trip to the Holy Land on a pilgrimage led by Father Leonard Tighe. Of the event, Kathy enthusiastically stated, "It was so moving to actually go to the places where Jesus lived and died. It was such a powerful experience." Kathy confesses to a love of crucifixes, stating that she collects them "the way some women have a closet full of shoes," adding, "I don’t go looking for them, but I see them for sale on retreats or at conferences, and I have to have them."

Now a grandmother, Kathy still lives in the same duplex in Roslindale where she moved with her sons, her sister, and their parents, following her husband’s passing. Currently living together there with her are her Dad, her stepdaughter from her husband’s prior marriage, her son Michael, now 30, with his wife, and their two daughters. Son Patrick, now 27, and his wife live in nearby Canton and are expecting a son in May.

Recently retired from her job at HUD after a full thirty-five years there, she is ready to use her diverse skill set in serving the parish.

Though Sister Virginia was her mentor, Kathy is quick to advise, "I am not Sister Virginia; I am Kathy Sherrod." She is also quick to point out that "There are many sides to Kathy Sherrod," adding "I’ve had a lot of different experiences, and hope to draw on them in serving the parish."

We are certain that all of us will benefit from Kathy’s experience, deep faith, courage, and wisdom. We wish her every grace and blessing as she begins her new ministry among us.

Editor’s Note: As part of her training in the AIM Program, Kathy took a six-week course entitled "Communication Skills for Lay Ministers" for which she had to write a prayer. She shared the prayer with her Eucharistic ministers to aid them in their work with the homebound, and we, with her permission, share it here with you.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Love one another as I have loved you is what your son, Jesus, has taught us. Remind me to look at the person who is talking to me so that they know I am interested in what they have to say rather than looking out the window or looking at my watch. Help me to also listen with my eyes so that I will see the tear that has formed in the corner of their eyes. Help me to listen with my heart so that I can be compassionate.

If they are having difficulty opening up to me, send your Holy Spirit, Lord, so that I may ask pertinent open-ended questions.

Stop me from talking, God; it’s my turn to be the listener. Silence is o.k. I need to give the other person time to organize their thoughts or to be able to share their feelings with me.

Touch is so powerful. I should touch them on the shoulder or the arm or hold their hand, but make sure I ask their permission first. I don’t want the only personal contact they had today to be when their arm was squeezed while they got a shot; when they were moved from the bed to a wheelchair; or when they were rolled from side to side while the sheets on the bed were changed.

Environment is important, Lord. Don’t let me get too close. Remind me not to stand in front of a window with the sun shining in or they will not be able to see me very easily. Remind me to shut off the TV, lower the radio, or put down the newspaper when I’m listening so that I can give my undivided attention. Don’t let me talk too loud, if they need confidentiality.

Now it’s time to use these new skills, not just with the people we minister to, but also with our family, friends, and co-workers. Help me God." —-Kathy M. Sherrod