Congratulations on 25 Years of Covenant Companionship
With delight, we celebrate Mary Ellen Durbin’s 25 years of commitment as a Covenant Companion with the Wheaton Franciscans.
Mary Ellen was born in Chicago, where she shared her childhood with six siblings. She married Ronald Arthur (deceased 2015) and has three children, 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Throughout her diverse career, Mary Ellen has served as a teacher in the Chicago public schools, associate director of pastoral planning for the Diocese of Cleveland, OH, director of community services for Catholic Charities, Lombard, IL, and executive director of People’s Resource Center, Wheaton, IL.
Mary Ellen describes herself as an activist as she worked with people living in poverty, especially immigrants and refugees. She and her husband founded a ministry in 1989, helping homeless families with housing and mentoring so they could get back on their feet. She remains involved with this ministry, called DAYBREAK of Lisle, IL.
An admirer of St. Francis and his total “yes” to God’s call, Mary Ellen remembers, “I got to know the Wheaton Franciscans in 1984 and developed several friendships, particularly Sr. Marian Cronk, Sr. Pat Norton, Sr. Catherine Albers, and Sr. Mary Ellen McAleese. They seemed to personify for me what a Franciscan perspective and spirituality could be.”
Now retired and living in Naperville, IL, Mary Ellen has always been an active Covenant Companion (CC). Most recently she served on the Covenant Companionship Leadership Circle and today leads the Spiritual Enrichment Ministry for CCs.
“Covenant Companionship has given me a way to increase my faith, my understanding and integration of the Gospel in my life, and a continuing friendship with simplicity, contemplation, and creation-centered living. It has permeated every facet of my life…my marriage, my widowhood, my parenting and grandparenting, my family, and my friendships.”
Congratulations Mary Ellen, thank you for your active commitment to the covenant way of life!