Meet the Sisters

Continuing History

S. Carol Leveque (left) is the pastoral associate at St. Anthony parish, a ‘non-territorial’ parish in historic Madisonville on Cincinnati’s east side where individuals and families come from all 48 Cincinnati Zip codes to attend Mass and participate in activities.

With a history of ministries including teaching, religious education, editorial work and pastoral care, S. Carol Leveque returned to parish work in 2007. “I began ministering at St. Anthony parish in historic Madisonville on Cincinnati’s east side,” S. Carol said. “This is a parish where the Sisters of Charity have considerable history. The Sisters of Charity were invited to staff the school there in the 1800s, remaining until the school closed in 1977. The building where I now have my office was once the Sisters’ convent. It is a good feeling to know that many of our early Sisters ministered at St. Anthony’s before me.

“I love working with the people,” she continued. “My job at this time is very relevant to what is happening in our world today. With the shortage of priests, the role of the laity is so important in parish life. It is truly the wave of the future. We have approximately 500 parishioners at St. Anthony’s at this time. We are a ‘non-territorial’ parish, meaning individuals and families come from all 48 Cincinnati Zip codes to attend Mass and participate in activities. They come because of the diversity, the liturgy, the great sense of community, the openness and the commitment to social justice.

“For instance, we have families with adopted children of different races, we have a gay and lesbian population, and we have Sisters of Charity and women religious from many Congregations in attendance. Our music liturgy is a ‘big draw,’ as well. We know how to celebrate, especially with our great choir! Visitors are often ‘awed’ by our liturgies.

“St. Anthony parish enjoys considerable lay involvement in a variety of ministries such as the food pantry, Habitat for Humanity, Madison Villa housing for seniors, and MEAC (Madisonville Education and Assistance Center),” added S. Carol. Visit www.stanthonychurch.net/Outreach to see an overview of many more outreach opportunities and events.

Sister continued, “Our parish is interested in new ideas, new trends in theology, ecclesiology and Church issues. We have a strong commitment to social justice and Catholic social justice teachings. Our parishioners work to be a ‘just parish, appreciating and reflecting the diversity of our society.’ Currently St. Anthony’s has ‘twinned’ with Our Lady of Health parish (representing five churches) on the Caribbean island of Dominica. Twinning is an experiential learning process for an entire community to develop a Christ-centered, mission-oriented parish. Twinning means a coming together of a parish in the United States with a parish in another area of the world in an active, mutual and ongoing faith commitment. The hope is that people bind together spiritually, culturally and in a mutual sharing of resources’ (www.stanthonychurch.net).

“I love my work,” S. Carol said. “I am so blessed. As I continue serving with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, I am proud to be a part of a group that has such a dynamic history not only in the city of Cincinnati but across the country and internationally. I look forward to being a part of this continuing history as we move ahead.”

 

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