Sister Elisa Bonano
Director of Parish Faith Formation
Sacred Heart Chapel
Lorain, Ohio

“Hey, sister, when’s Bible School this summer?” For Sister Elisa Bonano, hearing these words from a child in the middle of the school year is one of her greatest joys. Elisa, who serves as faith formation director at Sacred Heart Chapel in Lorain, Ohio, explains that “it is this ministry that makes my life real! It helps me connect my prayer with the reality of people’s lives, concerns, joys and sorrows and see God in the midst of it all.”

Lisa wears many hats in her parish ministry. Her day can include helping a man with a disability write his checks, call in for medication, or make his appointments. Sometimes a person just walks in and needs a listening heart to help them sort out life. Elisa also presides at Communion Services once a week, gives days of recollection to groups in the parish and coordinates the entire sacramental program for children and their parents.

Creating suitable lesson plans for children in kindergarten through grade 6 who are enrolled in the Generations of Faith program is another one of Elisa’s responsibilities. “We want them to understand the great message of God’s love for them,” she explains.

Working directly with catechists, Elisa empowers them to share their faith and the Gospel message with young students. In addition, her work with parents enables them to see how important it is to pass on the traditions of our Catholic religion.

This ministry has both its rewards and challenges. “The most rewarding part of my ministry is being a welcoming presence who listens and shares the pain, sorrows and joys of God’s people. I have great joy and satisfaction in seeing them come to church and participate in the sacraments.” Lisa describes her challenges as working in an area of our country where people have become overwhelmed by poverty, joblessness and violence, just to name a few. “Our people are getting tangled into what is going on in our society and not letting God be their center.”

Reflecting on her ministry Lisa says it “leads me to put into practice what I pray about in the Scriptures…in other words, ‘walk the talk.’ My ministry calls me deeply to grow in love with God and his people.”