The Highlander

Issue date: 10/17/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Photo courtesy of Mcmanus Family McManus with her family.

Mary McManus, current liturgy coordinator, spent countless hours over the summer digging and sowing the garden in front of her cozy, light blue brick home.

"It served as a metaphor for what was going on inside of me," she said.

By the end of summer, when the garden was complete, McManus made her choice to resign from her position at Regis.

"I was at peace with the decision," she said.

McManus, originally from Iowa, attended Loras College for international studies and political science. After graduating college, she moved to Colorado to serve the inner-city as a Vincentian Volunteer.

In 1998, McManus accepted a position at the Romero House, a Regis residence that allows students to experience the connections between one's faith, education, and the life experience of the poor.

"It was perfect," she said, "I was very excited."

After coordinating the Romero House program for two years, McManus served at the Denver Catholic Worker. In 2001, she proceeded to earn her masters degree in theology at St. Johns University in Minnesota.

In 2003, McManus returned to Regis to work in University Ministry. Here, she coordinated liturgies and directed the Right of Christian Initiation Adults program (RCIA).

"I loved organizing the liturgies, but most of all, I enjoyed seeing students develop into leaders," she said. "I'll miss the students most."

Ashley Blincow, a senior RCIA student, admired how McManus incorporated social justice into every aspect of her job.

"Mary lives her life walking in Catholic shoes and seeing the world through a Catholic lens," Blincow said.

In addition to spending time with her two young daughters, McManus plans to develop more leaders in the church and to write articles and reflections.

As she embarks on this new beginning, she bears in mind a quote by Pedro Arrupe S.J., which guided her throughout her career: "Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love and it will decide everything

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