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Introducing Sister Evelyn LaGory

Mary Ann Harris makes no attempt to hide how much she depends on Sister Evelyn LaGory. Suffering from advanced cancer and struggling against pain every day, Mary Ann confides, “There are days I just don’t think it’s worth going on anymore, but she knows how to touch that part of me to make me want to keep trying.”

Mrs. Harris is one of several elderly Cincinnati residents served by a program known as Nursing Home Without Walls. The program is sponsored by Social Services of Cincinnati for whom Sister Evelyn has been a caseworker since 1986. “I always knew I wanted to be able to serve,” says Sister Evelyn. She recalls being in 7th Grade and wanting to be like one of the Sisters teaching at her school. In order to fully satisfy the requirements of religious life a person must be acutely aware of their God-given talents and be able to use them in the best possible ways. In Sister Evelyn’s case, her special talents are having compassion for others, being a wonderful listener and sharing time and personal moments with people.

Understanding her gifts has taken Sister Evelyn into many areas, including service as an elementary school teacher, an associate pastor, and chaplain for a hospital. In her position as a caseworker, she ministers to the less fortunate in her parish, including those infected with HIV. Like Mary Ann, the people she visits are confined to their homes, often forgotten and suffering from debilitating disorders. Sister Evelyn’s ministry shows these people that someone does love and care about them. “It means so much to them,” she notes. “And it’s very rewarding to me. I remember a woman I knew as the Coconut Lady. She had a tough shell, didn’t smile ever. I went to see her as she was dying. She had her hand behind her back. She told me to come to her. Her hand came out and she presented me with this huge Snickers bar and a smile I’ll never forget.” Mary Ann expressed her feelings of need and gratitude when she said, “Thank God Sister Evelyn came into my life. God knows what I’d do if she went out of it.”

Sister Evelyn LaGory, CSJ