By Molly Klimas | Photos by Jonathan Tramontana

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Nancy Woodcock is “technically” an outsider. But she’ll get under your skin; inside your head and through to your heart.

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was taught that through baptism, each person has the right and responsibility to live their life as an active, involved Catholic Christian,” Nancy said.‘‘I

She lives this teaching nine to fi ve, 24/7 – it’s her career; it’s her calling; it’s her life. She is the Diocese of Grand Rapids’ fi rst, and currently only, pastoral director.

And what’s that, you ask? You wouldn’t be alone in not knowing, given the

rarity of Nancy’s role. When asked to write this article on Nancy and the pastoral director program, I kind of got it through inference:

It’s a person who runs a parish, but isn’t a priest. I was to learn that my watered-down defi nition is simplistic, antiseptic. The reality is the person and the position are complex, multi-layered and multi-fl avored, bold and subtle, earthy and sublime.

Clear as mud, right? I was hoping for imagery closer to wine.

The canonical defi nition of “pastoral (or parish) director” is this:

… a woman or man to whom a “participation in the exercise of the pastoral care of a parish is entrusted.” This care includes the following areas: education and pastoral services, worship, administration. (c. 517, §2)

In Nancy’s case, she has been entrusted with the pastoral care of two parishes: St. Mary in Carson City and St. John the Baptist, in Hubbardston. They welcomed Nancy with open arms, but there was a time when the two parishes were wary of one another and of outsiders; their respective roots go deep, back to the mid-1800s.

It was through music that they were fi rst united.

A tale of two parishesBefore Nancy, the two parishes shared Father William

“Bill” Reitz as pastor. Beginning in 1995, Father Reitz oversaw not only two churches but also the legacy of two grade schools and two high schools that had been for years arch rivals in athletics. The rivalry, and its lingering spirit might not have matched the one between the University of Michigan and Michigan State, but it was close.

Looking to the future, Father Bill decided to join the parishes’ children’s choirs in the mid-1990s. Through the children, the young adults and the grown-ups began to move closer together.

It was around that time that Nancy became involved with the two parishes.

Having earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in child development and reading education followed by a 30-year career as a teacher at Montabella Community Schools, Nancy fi rst came to the parishes in 2003. Born on the east side of the state, the oldest of eight, she had been raised Catholic and attended Catholic schools all the way through graduate school. She had volunteered in all aspects of parish life – as a catechist for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and adult faith formation; as a director of religious education; as a council member…a whirling dervish of service. But when her mother suffered a stroke in 1995, Nancy recalibrated some of her responsibilities and volunteer

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Nancy Woodcock, pastoral director at St. Mary Parish, Carson City, and St. John the Baptist Parish, Hubbardston

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activities, eventually retiring from teaching in 2002 to care full-time, along with her sister, for their mother.

“After a couple of years, I remember my mom telling me, ‘You need to fi nd another job – it’s time,’” Nancy said.

A part-time director of religious education (DRE) position opened at St. Mary and St. John. She applied and won the job and, in this role, fi rst became acquainted with the people of the parishes. Along the way, she had continued her education. She earned a master’s degree in pastoral ministry from Marygrove College in Detroit, and certifi cates

in parish administration from Loyola University in New Orleans and in spiritual direction from the Dominican Center in Grand Rapids.

The revised Code of Canon 517, §2, promulgated in 1983, had paved the way for future pastoral director positions in dioceses. In 2003, Bishop Kevin Britt began exploring a pastoral director program in the Diocese of Grand Rapids.

When the diocese identifi ed a handful of candidates to participate in the formation process and prepare for the possibility of the ministry, Nancy was among them. The program involved a year of meetings and studies in pastoral leadership on top of their existing graduate-level degrees.

“Candidates were immersed in all that’s involved in the oversight of a local faith community, including the administrative, sacramental, canonical, fi nancial and liturgical aspects,” said Diocesan Vicar General Rev. Msgr. William H. Duncan, who has been involved in the program since its inception under Bishop Britt.

Meanwhile, illness and age (he was 80 at the time) had forced Father Reitz to retire – and without any priests immediately available to take his place, this left St. Mary and St. John in a precarious position. The parishes’ distant geographic location – an hour’s drive from Grand Rapids – complicated the situation.

When God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window

Change in the modern church began in the 1960s during the Second Vatican Council. Interestingly, before the Council convened, Pope John XXIII is reported to have said that he wanted to throw open the windows of the church so that we can see out and the people can see in.

As far back as 1983 when the revised Code of Canon law was promulgated, it was clear there would be a shortage of priests in the coming decades. But if one is to look at the “glass half full,” then in some respects we’re returning to a time when laity has a much larger role in parish life and administration.

Nancy’s experience and education

Nancy had great organizational skills – years of teaching prepare you for meeting

any obstacle! – plus common sense and a terrifi c sense of humor. She won our hearts immediately.”

(top) Nancy in third grade; (middle) fi rst Communion photo; (bottom right) after graduating from college (bottom left); and graduating from high school.

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2020made her an ideal candidate to take on that expanded role.

She had completed the diocese’s pastoral director training program and was one of the candidates being considered for the newly created pastoral director position at St. Mary and St. John parishes. Bishop Britt was prepared to announce the appointment when he died suddenly.

“The pastoral director program as a whole was put on hold,” Msgr. Duncan said, “but, because Bishop Britt had all but signed the papers, our acting Apostolic Administrator, Cardinal Maida of the Archdiocese of Detroit, appointed the chosen candidate, Nancy, to the position.”

She has confi dence … and a sense of humor

“As the fi rst female pastoral director, Nancy was on un-trod territory,” said Joanne Burns Howard, who has been a member of St. John the Baptist Parish all of her 78 years. “But Nancy had great organizational skills – years of teaching prepare you for meeting any obstacle! – plus common sense and a terrifi c sense of humor. She won our hearts immediately.”

Gathered around a large table in St. Mary’s multipurpose room in mid-August, Howard, and other parishioners - Helen Gallagher, Catherine and Larry Bogart, Al Giroux, Michael Hodges, Sue Lowe, Kathleen Copp and Pam Carberry - engage in a discussion about Nancy’s role as pastoral director. Two additional parishioners, Pat and Janet Burns, took time to write a letter about all the things they like about Nancy and the pastoral director program.

One of the fi rst things Howard said, and all agreed to, was, “We wish we could have two Nancys!”

Nancy splits her time between both parishes, but the reality is serving as pastoral director for both is almost like having two full-time jobs. Part of

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that is because Nancy throws herself into her work heart and soul.

“Nancy has this phenomenal energy, she’s everywhere,” said Gallagher

Indeed, her role encompasses doing everything a priest would do except for administering the sacraments and celebrating Mass. She visits the sick; helps families cope with the deaths of loved ones; prepares couples for marriage and secures priests to say Mass. Her role includes rallying parishioners around the annual Catholic Services Appeal campaign; overseeing facilities renovation and construction; and managing staff and volunteers who plant fl owers and put on fundraisers and

play bingo. The list goes on and on. It is the stitching together of the fabric of daily parish life.

Before meeting for an interview for this article, Nancy had prepared a neatly-typed curriculum vitae of sorts, which included her education, work experience and what’s involved in being a pastoral director. At the bottom, she had handwritten, “A sense of humor is essential for survival!” She included a big smiley face.

Back in the multipurpose room, several people around the table talk about how they or people they know had returned to the church because of Nancy.

“She doesn’t ask, ‘Where are you?’ She says, ‘We miss you,’” Carberry said. “She makes you feel wanted.”

Hodges, whose ancestors settled the area and helped found St. Mary – and who is now in his fourth year in the seminary, studying to be a priest – says Nancy is “a good model of gently helping people break old habits of ‘sitting back and waiting for the church to come to you.’”

The two parishes are receiving renewed inquiries from individuals interested in joining the church and experiencing increased participation in the RCIA. A visiting priest celebrating

the Holy Week, Good

Copp said she thought that

every parish could benefi t from a pastoral director whether it has a resident priest or not: “With the pastoral director handling the fi scal and the physical, the priest can focus on the sacramental.”

Nancy meets with Bill Westphal, diocesan parish review services manager. Nancy meets with Bill Westphal, diocesan parish review services manager. Nancy meets with Bill Westphal, diocesan parish review services manager. Nancy meets with Bill Westphal, diocesan parish review services manager.

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Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter services had commented on how many people seemed to be going through the RCIA program at the parishes.

Copp said she thought that every parish could benefi t from having a pastoral director whether they have a resident priest or not: “With the pastoral director handling the fi scal and the physical, the priest can focus on the sacramental,” she added.

Hodges agreed. “The priests are able to open up more; it lets them be

priests, not operators of businesses,” he said.The visiting priests (offi cially called sacramental

ministers) who celebrate Mass and hear confessions on weekends at the two parishes are scheduled a year in advance by Nancy, usually for six- to eight-week periods, but not always consecutively. The parishes take turns hosting holy days such as Christmas and Easter. Most celebrants are retired priests from the Diocese of Grand Rapids and a few are from the Diocese of Lansing.

“They love coming here – they have a beautiful rectory to stay in and home-cooked meals. We take good care of them,” Copp said.

Nancy especially delights in hosting the priests of the Ionia Deanery at Christmas gatherings that include “Catholic Trivial Pursuit” and the giving of small, silly gifts – like Santa hats.

“It’s the funniest thing when you see priests, in their collars and all in black, with these bright red Santa hats on their heads,” Nancy said with a laugh.

Nancy meets with Bill Westphal, diocesan parish review services manager. Nancy meets with Bill Westphal, diocesan parish review services manager.

(center photo) Nancy during a fi rst Communion Mass; (bottom photo) and with a group of 8th grade students who recently received the sacrament of confi rmation at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in downtown Grand Rapids.

Nancy talks with Rev. Msgr. William H. Duncan. Msgr. Duncan is the canonical priest supervisor to Nancy in her role as pastoral director.

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The parishioners not only have grown accustomed to hosting a bevy of priests throughout the year; they also have grown to appreciate it. Hodges talks about how each priest brings himself to the role. “A lot of people everywhere are under the misconception that a priest is a priest is a priest – but the reality is they bring themselves into the ministry,” he said.

“We like that we get to know different priests, different styles,” Lowe adds.

The model has drawn some criticism, mainly from those who don’t fully understand or haven’t had an opportunity to experience the program.

“There are people who may feel we are second class because we don’t have priests in residence. Yes, we have a history and a culture to overcome, but we are every bit as legitimate as any other parish,” said Giroux.

“What is a parish anyway?” Lowe asks. “Perhaps ‘parish’ is an old-fashioned term; perhaps we are redefi ning ‘parish.’ And even though we are technically two parishes, I feel we are one.”

The parishes recently formed a single pastoral council, which includes seven members from each parish.

“People are working together,” said Carberry.

“Nancy saved us,” adds Howard.

“I think we’re proving that this is a viable model for the priest shortage,” Hodges said. “You just have to have an open mind, and be willing to make it work.”

A look around the parishes is evidence in motion; the kitchen adjacent the multipurpose room at St. Mary bustles with local food bank volunteers (the parish site serves as the food bank for Eastern Montcalm County); senior parishioners play cards in a nearby room; donated fl owers adorn both parish grounds. Students at the two parishes are active as servers and the joint K-12 religious education program started by Father Reitz is thriving. The “over 50s crowd” gathers for regular lunch-prayer-bingo dates at St. John. And the parishes’ joint choir, the idea for which came about nearly 15 years ago, is still going strong.

All the love you can giveWhen Nancy is asked when she fi rst knew that she was

called to serve so fully in the Catholic Church and in faith, her short answer is that it’s been a part of her for just about as long as she can remember. She refl ects and realizes that there were several particular moments when God worked through another person to show Nancy the way:

What is a parish anyway? Perhaps ‘parish’ is an old-fashioned term;

perhaps we are redefi ning ‘parish.’ And even though we are technically two parishes, I feel we are one.”

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Nancy chats with a group, including Deb McCrackin,(seated next to Nancy) from St. Mary Parish, in Carson City; and St. John the Baptist, in Hubbardson.

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… Sister Emiline, a teacher in high school, who helped her to understand the documents of the Second Vatican Council and its call for increased participation by the laity.

… The Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters at Marygrove College, who taught her the three C’s – be caring, competent and committed.

Finally, Nancy shared this:

“As I refl ected in prayer last night, I realized that my mother was the most infl uential person in my life. She was a quiet, shy person by nature but she instilled in me her deep Catholic faith, a wonderful warmth of welcoming others and a loving, caring nature.

She taught me to read before I went to school and valued education highly. She pushed all of my siblings and me to do the best we could. She was strong, courageous, brave, independent and very proud of her Irish heritage. She lived the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.

When I was in high school, my father died and she was widowed with eight children. I was 17; the youngest was four. She insisted I go to college. … Her love and encouragement helped us all to become strong adults who value education. … She went back to school in her 60s and received her associate’s degree from Montcalm Community College and was taking classes at Aquinas when she had her massive stroke in 1995.

Her determination and strength allowed her to regain her physical strength until she became so frail that she was cared for. … I am who I am because of her strength, encouragement and love.”

As people, we are more than molecules; we are the sum of one another, inside and out.

St. Mary and St. John the Baptist parishioners give thanks that Nancy Nancy got under their skin … and became part of them.

What’s involved in being a pastoral director?

The pastoral director is responsible for:

• Parish worship• Faith formation ministry• Pastoral services• Administration of ministry within

the parish• Serving as a liaison between the

parish and its diocese• Relations with the wider

community• Administration of temporalities and

fi nances• Personnel and parish relationships• Accountability to the Bishop

Qualifi cations:• Love for God and those they

serve, faith in Christ and commitment to the church

• Master’s degree in theological studies or equivalent and fi ve to 10 years of pastoral experience

• A commitment to foster spiritual growth in the Christian community

• An active member of the Roman Catholic Church

• Demonstrated leadership• Ability to articulate a vision• Interpersonal and group

communication skills• Flexibility• Ability to function in a collaborative

ministry setting• Good at confl ict management

More information can be found at the National Association for Lay Ministry website, nalm.org, which covers lay ecclesial ministers under Canon 517, §2.

Source: The Diocese of Grand Rapids

Additional sources for this article:

• St. John the Baptist Parish on Fish Creek: The Beginnings by Joanne Burns Howard

• The People of God – 2010 Parish Directory for St. Mary Parish Carson City and St. John the Baptist Parish Hubbardston• Pastoral Care in Parishes Without a Pastor: Applications of Canon 517, §2 by Barbara Anne Cusack and Therese Guerin Sullivan, S.P.

Nancy visits with a parishioner, Irene Doepker, 90.23FAITH Grand Rapids / October 2010 / www.dioceseofgrandrapids.org | www.FAITHgrandrapids.org

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