on March 16, 2020
Mary Momot, OFS, is the new regional minister of St. Kateri Tekakwitha Region.
She took over after Joanne Lockwood, OFS, stepped down from the position in mid-February.
A member of St. Patrick Fraternity in Buffalo, Mary was previously vice regional minister. She and other members of the Regional Executive Council were elected to three-year terms during the annual Regional Chapter held last September in Syracuse.
The new vice minister is Carol Onuffer, who was secretary, and stepping up to be secretary is John Balmer, who was central area councilor.
In her local fraternity, Mary is in her second term as vice minister. She was professed in June 2013. Mary and her husband Joe have five children and four grandchildren. They retired a few years ago after operating a business repairing industrial machine tools.
Reflecting on her Franciscan journey, she notes: “With all the craziness of a very busy life, I always felt something was missing. One day at daily Mass I noticed a friend wearing a peculiar looking cross and told him I would like one like it. His words to me were the very famous ‘Follow Me’. I did and 3 ½ years later I was professed.”
Regarding her new position, she adds: “I have always lived my life by being open to God and listening to His voice. It seems to me that He always places me exactly where I can serve Him best. With that thought I pray that I can always serve all of our fraternity members as best as I can, especially with the strong executive council that is in place.”