Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

By Dan Stockman, OSV News

ORLANDO, Fla. — Sister Nancy Schreck has worked with congregations of women religious across the country and around the world, spent years in high school classrooms, and ministered for decades with other sisters in rural Mississippi. After all that experience, she has this to say about Catholic sisters: “We are women of steel.”

She was speaking to nearly 800 Catholic sisters at the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) assembly as she received the group’s Outstanding Leadership Award.

She told attendees that it may be a time of darkness, but the darkness is not to be feared. Rather, darkness is a holy mystery. “We do this work in darkness,” she said. “However long the night.”

Sister Nancy, a Sister of St. Francis of Dubuque, Iowa, was honored on Aug. 16, the last day of LCWR’s annual assembly held this year in Orlando.

She has served in leadership and formation ministry in her congregation, as well as on the LCWR national board and in the LCWR presidency and as a delegate to the International Union of Superiors General. She has given presentations at LCWR assemblies and national and regional conferences for groups including the National Religious Retirement Office, the National Religious Vocation Conference, the Religious Formation Conference and the Franciscan Federation. She co-founded and is executive director of a community service organization in Okolona, Mississippi called Excel Inc.

She said that after working with, consulting for and facilitating hundreds of congregations, she has learned that the contemplative side of life — interior work — is vital to being able to do the exterior work that the world so badly needs. Among that work is learning to be global citizens and truly seeing oneself in others.

“Can we really call it communion if we only sit at the table with people who look like me?” Sister Nancy said to applause.

She advised sisters never to give up hope. “The future isn’t clear,” Sister Nancy said. “But what is clear is that we’re going into it together.” She added: “We’re living in a demanding and perplexing time, but so were our ancestors. My hope is that as I’ve worked among you, I’ve been able to make religious life more beautiful.”

Earlier in the day, the conference made its annual leadership change. Sister Kathy Brazda, a Sister of St. Joseph became president; Sister Vicky Larson, a member of Sisters of Presentation of Blessed Virgin Mary became president-elect; while Sister Maureen Geary from Dominican Grand Rapids Michigan became past president. The conference also hosted a livestreamed contemplative prayer for world.

Sister Kathy Knipper president Dubuque Franciscans said she was not surprised that Sister Nancy received Outstanding Leadership Award.

“She did serve leadership over years but she’s been leader for religious congregations United States world wide perspective leadership” Sister Kathy said “And congregations continue seek advice”

Sister Nancy’s work with other congregations has slowed recent years now commits working only one month

Whether convents conference rooms rural Mississippi inspiring

“She heart justice” Sister Kathy said “She accompanies people make things happen”

Sister Kathy said organize trips Okolona Iowa college students studying become teachers Schreck’s time rural Mississippi gave perspective better leader

Okolona population about 2 600 people 80% Black About 36% live poverty nearly double rate statewide median annual income per household about $27 000 half amount Mississippi whole poorest state union

Between stints congregational leadership lived ministered Okolona 35 years

“I knew place earlier interview Global Sisters Report

What eventually become Excel Inc began summer enrichment program children 1986 Sister Liz Brown arrived Okolona year before both working area parishes

Summer program success seemingly first success town seen recent memory

Received first grant foundation Tupelo today Excel dominates Okolona downtown community center resale shop coffee shop nearly two dozen programs runs addition four other Dubuque Franciscan sisters sister Presentation Blessed Virgin Mary working Okolona

Sister Liz said Excel not about sisters coming help residents coming help residents help themselves

“We decided would not white people doing Black people different way doing things”

One newest Excel programs offers training certified nursing assistants thanks donations partnership local community college county unemployment rate nearly double state figure nearly every single graduate hired

“You contribute food pantry feed people day two help get job hardly person employed minute get certification”

Sister Liz said not easy first northeast Mississippi few Catholics fewer Catholic sisters coast Delta

“It very hostile environment never knew Yankees woman head parish Catholic”

People came around saw amazing things happening sisters learned navigate local culture

“I think part success years inclusion across racial religious economic lines outsiders working insiders some things pull off couldn’t some things pull off couldn’t”

One things pulled off hiring Thelma Davis first person meet enter Excel Davis grew wealthy family father owned store catered poor knows everyone every status

“When went work raised Baptist told only things knew Catholicism learned Godfather Davis From there went”

Davis impact Excel had Okolona immeasurable

“If envision small town Mississippi same mindset hundred years ago kind challenging situation But taught little Baptist girl lot about people looking others eyes God instead eyes whatever religion family values past”

Davis motto little city does big things proven could put somebody qualities leader

Sister Nancy remarks accepting award reminds words Sojourner Truth dying honey going out blaze glory