Mary Seamans, longtime Diocesan communicator, heads for retirement

Editors Note: Mary Seamans is a gifted, award-winning multimedia coordinator in the Diocese of Greensburg’s Office of Communications and Evangelization. She has worked for the Diocese for 13 years as a photographer, videographer and writer responsible for much of the content that has appeared in The Catholic Accent newspaper, magazine and television show. As she prepares to retire, we asked Seamans to reflect on her time with the Diocese, as she will be sorely missed by all who worked with her. Please join us in our prayers that she enjoys a happy,  healthy and faith-filled retirement

I was originally hired as a photographer for the newspaper, and I also filmed and edited video for events such as the Salt & Light Awards Dinner for Catholic Charities and content designed to encourage enrollment in programs such as the Certificate in Pastoral Ministry.

In 2018, my role expanded with the merging of the Communications Department with Evangelization. I was excited to be doing more graphic design work, as well as significantly more video filming and editing. Over the past five years, I was given the opportunity to design all the printed and digital graphics for both the Diocesan Lenten Appeal and the Increased Stewardship program, and to work with each parish and pastor to complete both campaigns. We have 78 parishes, and I loved developing personalized graphics, postcards, bulletin inserts and social media, as well the annual reports.

Besides interviewing and photographing so many inspirational people over the years, I was blessed to have been given many faith-filled travel experiences, which became known as “Mary Seamans on Assignment.” I shared the experience of pilgrims from the Diocese as we traveled to Italy in 2017, the Holy Land in 2018 and, in 2019, our sister diocese in Sicuani, Peru, for their 60th anniversary celebration as a prelature. 

The most difficult story that I had to cover was when the Grand Jury Report came out in 2018, and I traveled with Bishop Edward C. Malesic to the many listening sessions across the Diocese. It was heartbreaking to see the pain of the people, including many who had been victims.

Continuing to prepare content for the newspaper, magazine and TV show during the COVID-19 pandemic was also challenging for our entire communications team. Working from home, we experienced quite a learning curve as we struggled to film, edit and stream those first Holy Week and Easter Masses in 2020. I am so happy I was able to be part of the team that worked to bring the mercy of Christ into people’s homes during such a difficult time.

The greatest “perk” of my position has been my  personal growth in my own faith and love of Jesus and His Church. My work at the diocese quickly became my ministry.  Sharing the inspirational stories from around the four counties of the Diocese has been incredibly rewarding.

As I a prepare to retire from my position, I know I will miss my co-workers at the Diocese, the priests, deacons, seminarians and women religious, and especially, working with Bishop Kulick, who has constantly impressed me with his knowledge and love of the Catholic faith. I have loved my job and it has brought me great joy, but when my retired husband, Mark, said it’s time to head to Florida for the winter, I wasn’t going to let him go without me!

What will I do when I retire? Last year, I started a grief ministry at my home parish of St. Anne, Rostraver, and hope to continue to help those suffering the loss of loved ones. I recently completed the Certificate in Pastoral Ministry Program through Seton Hill University, which has now evolved into the Enlighten Program at Saint Vincent College. I hope to take the knowledge I gained, combine it with my gifts and talents, and find a perfect ministry in my retirement – possibly leading a Bible study, becoming an extraordinary minister of holy Communion to the homebound, and/or training to bring Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to our region.

I will continue to pray for Bishop Kulick, the priests in our Diocese and of course all the people of the Diocese, that they may continue to inspire each of us, and continue to grow in their own faith.