BY JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Sister Mary Mark Deters, a Franciscan nun in Middletown takes a moment to pray in the convent.
(Dick Swaim photo)
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MIDDLETOWN -- Sister Mary Mark Deters is not battery-operated, but she just keeps going and going.
At age 82, the Franciscan nun of 65 years shows no signs of slowing down. She starts each day rain, shine, sleet or snow with a 5:30 a.m. jog, which sets the pace for her entire day. From there she goes to work, then to minister.
"You have to keep active. That keeps you going," Sister Deters said.
Her zeal has not gone unnoticed. She has been chosen from about 50 nominees within the 19-county Cincinnati Archdiocese to receive the Religious of the Year award from the Ohio Knights of Columbus. The award was presented after 9 a.m. Mass Sunday at the Holy Trinity Center, 201 Clark St., and was followed by a reception in the church center.
"She's amazing," said Sister Nancy Krista, principal of John XXIII Catholic Elementary School in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. "When I came here nine years ago and saw her out playing hopscotch with the kindergartners, I was inspired. I'm still inspired." Though semiretired, Sister Deters is still director of religious education at John XXIII. She spends much of the rest of her day cheering the sick and elderly in their homes, hospitals and nursing homes, often delivering the Eucharist.
On Friday, Sister Deters and her friend and roommate of 23 years, Sister Louise Ann Rossi, visited longtime parishioners Kathleen and Joe Dineen.
Mrs. Dineen, who has cancer, said the visits and prayers of the sisters and parishioners have "helped pull me through." She said Sister Deters is a perfect candidate for the religious award. Sister Deters' statements are sprinkled with words of thanksgiving and love.
Her gentle face broke into a beaming smile when she described her shock at learning she won the award. "I don't deserve the credit. All the energy I have is from the grace of God."
Numerous letters accompanied her nomination by the Middletown Knights of Columbus Council 1610, said Bill Klosterman, councilman and Holy Family parishioner.
In his letter, Middletown City Commissioner Jerry Banks described Sister Deters as a "quiet and unheralded force that has played a major role in pointing a generation of young people in the right direction."
Sister Deters entered the order in 1932 in Oldenburg, Ind., and began teaching in 1936.
Her journey has taken her to St. Louis; Batesville, Ind.; and various posts in Hamilton County, including supervisor of elementary school education for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. When she came to Middletown in 1975 as assistant principal at John XXIII, she had taught about 1,200 students.
"Life is a journey; you have to follow the path," Sister Deters said. "I think I've accomplished my goal. I have a lot of pleasant memories."
