In more than 50 years of religious life, Holy Names Sister Mary Faith Clarke has literally done just about every type of ministry --- from classroom teaching to educational administration at high school and college levels, to leadership in her religious community.

Many have also known her as the Archdiocesan Vicar for Women Religious, a position she held for 10 years until June of 2004. And yet, despite her wide variety of ministry positions, Sister Clarke never worked in a parish --- until now.

Three years ago she attended the Third Continental Congress in Montreal representing Vicars of Religious of the United States. The main theme of the congress was vocations to religious life, but within an hour everything changed. Instead of looking at vocation to religious life, the congress shifted its emphasis to "responding to the baptismal call," Sister Clarke says, "and a call to everyone to make an effort to make the church present everywhere."

With her knowledge of the archdiocese and its many needs --- and, just as importantly, never afraid of trying something new --- Sister Clarke made the decision to approach the leadership of her religious community, the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, about beginning a new "mission project."

Her idea was simple: seek out young adult women willing to volunteer for short or long-term ministry among the poor within a parish setting. A small stipend would be paid, and room, board and health insurance provided. The housing would be at the parish convent with a small core group of women religious. The most important part: sisters and volunteers would minister together, pursuing the same goals, among the economically poor.

As with all good ideas, Sister Clarke also knew someone who could best help to spearhead the project: herself. "I still have energy," she says. "And I've never worked in a parish. I think now is the time." She talked with her home community and they decided to try it.

Knowing the importance of starting right at home, Sister Clarke approached the pastors of two South Los Angeles parishes --- Msgr. Tim Dyer at St. Columbkille, and Msgr. David O'Connell of St. Michael. Msgr. O'Connell offered the use of the convent at St. Michael, although it was in need of renovation. The decision was made that Sister Clarke and her Holy Names colleague, Sister Dorothy Simpson, would temporarily move into a section of the old rectory, now used only for offices, while Sister Clarke continued in her final months as vicar.

Since June 2004 Sisters Clarke and Simpson have been working at St. Michael's as an evangelization team, dividing responsibilities for sacramental preparation (Sister Dorothy) and the organization of neighborhoods (Sister Mary Faith). They work with parishioners visiting the neighborhood in small groups, and always with a Spanish-speaking person. On their visits, they tell those they meet that they just want to get to know them and offer assistance if possible.

During Saturday morning walks they hear the needs and concerns of their neighbors: cleaning up the neighborhood, putting wheelchair access on sidewalk corners, countering gang activity, establishing ESL and citizenship classes. The teams meet after their walks to debrief and determine what actions should be followed. The needs of different neighborhoods are often similar.

On one home visit, the team heard from a woman who said, "There are many children in this neighborhood, and some of these children disappear and no one knows what has happened to them." Says Sister Clarke of the experience, "It just did something to me." So their team began looking for daycare and other after-school programs for the children, "so we can tell them about these things because we cannot provide all these services."

And the needs are many. Helping the parish develop its own power and mobilize small neighborhood faith communities has long been an interest of both Msgr. O'Connell and Msgr. Dyer. The key is to get the people to articulate their needs, to try to respond to those needs and find the resources needed. And the real emphasis in all of this is to strengthen family life --- and empower parishioners as leaders in small faith communities.

"We have a planning group trying to set those up and bring the church to the neighborhood," says Sister Clarke. A mission statement has been developed, and Scripture is at the heart of each session. Each meeting begins with a Gospel reflection and sharing on a faith level, with those present expressing the meaning of the Gospel on the day and, equally important, what it is saying about the neighborhood. Faith is shared so that those present can work together as a common group and pursue common goals.

At a very healthy and active 75 years, Sister Clarke brings with her years of experience and skill in organization --- from the classroom to the boardroom and now to neighborhoods. "I loved working for the archdiocese," she says. "It was a wonderful experience for me. I got to know many, many people."

Moreover, "It gave me the opportunity to see more of Los Angeles than just my area. I have had other experiences --- community organizing, helping groups do team development. And I still have energy."

She also has the foresight and desire to address the need to work with young women who share many of the same values and who might want to commit themselves to short-term ministry.

"Why can't I go and give a few years to this and why can't we attract some young people?" she says. "And if it's of God, it is going to continue. I'm very excited about this."