Of the 10 Children Joe and Louise Sobieck raised in Sauk Rapids, Minn., Sister Mary Jo was their youngest. Brothers Greg, Tim, Willie, Bob, and Charlie, and sisters Tina, Paula, Geri, and Meg have each lived an itinerant lifestyle all their own before returning to make a home among family and friends. Only Sister Mary Jo, a member of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield in Illinois since 1993, continues to travel from place to place to make a home among those she serves.
Her academic journey earned her a masters in systematic theology from St. John’s University, Collegeville in 2007, after which she taught theology at Marian Catholic High School until 2020. Before her theological studies, she taught in the elementary and junior high grades at Holy Angels, Aurora, Ill., 1996-1999, and at Holy Rosary School, Duluth, Minn., 1999-2006.
Sister Mary Jo experienced an unexpected international fame when she threw a perfect first pitch at a White Sox game in Chicago on Aug. 18, 2018 as part of Marian Catholic’s 60th anniversary celebration.
In her 30th year of her profession of vows, she’s reflected on the gift of her vocation. “It’s quite simple, really; I’m living what I learned. It began with my parents’ example of prayer and a positive perspective on life that trusted in God’s power to prevail to make all things well, no matter what. It continued with my 9 older brothers and sisters who, unbeknownst to them, modeled for me what servant leadership was all about.
The call to a life of service as a religious sister then wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. To give my life completely to God affirmed what had already been encouraged in me as a youngster: don’t wait to be asked, if you see something that needs doing, do it… always with a generous heart, a joyful spirit, and the good intention to contribute to the common good. This was, is, and forever will be the ground of my becoming the person God created me to be for the life of the world!”
After studying Spanish language and culture in Tucson and San Antonio, in a new turn in her service to God’s people, Sister Mary Jo now begins a ministry of Vocation Animation with firm belief in God’s invitation to the youth to respond to the call to consecrated religious life to renew the Church and world in these times.
“My greatest joy comes from the relationships I’ve built with students and their families, community members, and other consecrated women and men, and those with whom I’ve crossed paths on this journey of life and love. Our mutual sharing, humble acceptance, and surrender to God has strengthened my commitment and helped me to grow in ways beyond my imagination. I’ve been blessed beyond.”
She likes to encourage others in discerning a vocation to consecrated life by suggesting ,“If you feel the call to give of yourself to God and God’s people, it’s because you have gifts our world needs. Take it seriously and pray for the grace to hear and respond with openness and trust. There is something meant only for YOU to be and do. Don’t underestimate the activity of God’s Spirit working in and through you to make the difference we’ve all been waiting for. The Church needs you! The world needs you! I need you! It’s a great adventure… one that won’t change you as much as it will reveal you; and oh what joy you’ll find.
“Saddle up your horses
We've got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder of God's Amazing grace
Let's follow our leader into the Glorious unknown
This is the life like no other whoa whoa
This is The Great Adventure
We'll travel on, over mountains so high
We'll go through valleys below
Still through it all we'll find that
This is the greatest journey
That the human heart will ever see
The love of God will take us far
Beyond our wildest dreams”
Steven Curtis Chapman
