Sr. Janet Delperdang: Embracing the New
by Tricia Buxton
Sr. Janet Delperdang ministering as a pastoral associate in Tennessee.
Although admittedly shy, Janet Delperdang, OP, has challenged herself throughout life to seek out new people, places, and experiences. She was once a Sister of Christian Charity and transferred to the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation in 1975. She ministered as principal for 20 years and then heeded a call to serve in parish ministry in the South, away from the comfort of a larger Sister community. In doing all this, she said Father Samuel Mazzuchelli’s message “rings out loud and clear: ‘Go where the work is great and difficult.’ That is important.”
Janet became acquainted with the Sinsinawa Dominicans in Palatine, IL. As principal at St. Theresa School, she met another young principal, Patricia Bauch, OP, who was also charged with running another large school in town, St. Thomas. They became fast friends. After being in schools for 40 years, Janet went on sabbatical. “I knew my days in school were over,” she said. Jeanne Dion, OP, told Janet of a pastoral associate position in Parsons, TN. “I interviewed and got the job, and I love it,” said Janet. “People are absolutely fantastic, caring, and loving. If I need anything, they see that I get it.” She serves as pastoral associate and director of religious education in both St. Andrew Parish in Lexington and St. Regina Parish in Parsons. Eighteen miles separate the two. “I do most everything here,” she said. “I have the freedom to do and be and preach and teach what we believe as Sinsinawa Dominicans.” She incorporates the idea of social justice into her teachings and practices what she preaches through cosponsoring a food pantry and clothing pantry with an ecumenical church group. “It’s a real outreach to the community. We even help with utilities,” said Janet.
Much of Janet’s work is centered around building community. “We are a parish of 45 families here at Parsons,” she said, “but we served 646 dinners this year at our spaghetti supper. We reach out to the community in so many different ways. We have Mass in Spanish once a week.”
“I have the advantage of working with people from the cradle to the grave and have the opportunity of opening up people to a thirst for wanting to know more [about the Catholic faith].” As for the most difficult part of Janet’s work, she remembers this: “When I initially said, ‘Yes,’ to come here, that meant that I had to live alone. I’m so grateful for Maureen Kennedy, OP, who is retired,” and lives nearby. A group of five Sinsinawa Dominicans in the South is intentional about gathering as community. “It’s our affection for one another that holds us together,” said Kathleen Flood, OP, who lives in Nashville. “It takes commitment. That commitment has to be as important as the work we’re doing.” Others in the group besides Janet, Maureen, and Kathleen include Georgia Acker, OP, and Geri Hoye, OP, who live in Murray, KY. “We call each other, keep in touch, and, if there would be anything that would come up, we might be miles apart, but we are so close. Community is important to us,” said Janet.
In her spare time, Janet enjoys the outdoors. “I love to work in the yard. I love nature, the wide-open spaces. Anytime I can get outside, it’s so rejuvenating,” she said. “I feel that this part of the country is really mission territory. You make inroads in very small ways, but I feel so at home here.”