(Parishioners of Previous Months)

Chelsea Oszawa and Sister Mary John

"Devoted Religious Education Professional and Friend to Teens".

Interviewed by Chelsea Oszawa - Confirmation Candidate

   Sister Mary John was born and raised in San Francisco. She grew up in a large family consisting of 5 girls and 1 boy. Today, her mother, father and 1 sister are in Heaven, she still visits the rest of her family.

  Sister attended Notre Dame High School, and University of Southern California for college. She graduated with a Masters Degree in Education. In talking with Sister, I found out that when she was in High School, she worked in a daycare center next to the High School for service hours. It was then she met the Sisters of the Holy Family. In working with them, she then decided she wanted to become a nun.

   Sister Mary John is in an order that is called Sisters of the Holy Family which was founded in San Francisco 125 years ago. In fact, just recently, she told me that the order had it's 125 "anniversary". The order's specific purpose is working with the poor, in Religious Education. Sister has a special degree to work with the handicap. Other Sisters work in the CCD offices and some are nurses. The mission of the order is the mission to the poor.

   When Sister is not working, she relaxes by moving furniture from one office to another!! Ha Ha Ha!!![Of course, Chelsea and Sister are referring to the recent move of the CCD offices from school to parish center. - ed note]

When she goes on vacations, she likes to be by the ocean. Sister does like to follow sports and she like the San Francisco Giants and the San Francisco 49ers. Sister was a swimmer when she was younger and she also likes to watch hockey, although she doesn't really have a favorite team anymore.

   When it comes to favorite movies, books, or foods, Sister says she likes them ALL!! She does have a favorite author and that author is Dr. Leo Buscaglia. She also likes to listen to Western music. Sister Mary John has many hobbies that she enjoys doing for example, sewing, reading, errand running, and also art work. Sister also said that she used to do leather work awhile back. Sister has been working at Our Lady of Mercy for four years now.

   She has advice for the teens od today and this advice is: Always make sure you have someone to talk to like a priest or a Sister. Remember, adults were teenagers once too.