The Rev. Mary Donovan called to Grace, Ottawa

by Hurst Coffman

Rev. Mary Kane Donovan answered a call in September to be Vicar of Grace Episcopal Church, Ottawa.  She follows the late Rev. Robert Harris. Mary served as a supply priest for the congregation during its time of transition beginning in November 2021.

Mary originally came from Wisconsin and holds degrees from St. Louis University in English and Math and a Master’s Degree in Education from University of Wisconsin.  She studied spirituality and spiritual direction at the Benedictine Sophia Center in Atchison, where she teaches classes at present.  Most of her working career was spent teaching and being a supervisor in public high schools in New York City.

For the past several years Mary has supported the Canterbury House Ministries at KU and KSU, assisting with program, celebrating Eucharist, and offering spiritual direction to the student Peer Ministers. She will remain on the Bishop’s Advisory Committee for the Canterbury House in Lawrence.

Grace Church is pleased to have “Reverend Mary” as their priest.  Not only is she in charge of Sunday worship, but Mary has reinstated parish study groups and has reached out to the broader community.  Grace is a regional parish serving as the only Episcopal Church in a three county area – Franklin, Anderson, and Osage.

Mary recently wrote, “It is my very great fortune now to be appointed the Vicar of Grace Episcopal Church.  From the first moment I stepped into the church I felt that it was a holy space, that the church itself has always been a place of prayer and fellowship.  This church earns the title ‘Grace’.”