Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament
Sr. Jane Nesmith has been an African American Catholic since age 8 when her family converted so the children could attend Catholic school. “My father was determined we would have good educations and none was better in his eyes than the local Catholic school. I never looked back on my faith or education in the many forms it has taken me throughout my career,” she said.
In December 2022, Sr. Jane will be joining the Diocese of Cleveland as the new Director of African American Ministry. “My Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament are simply thrilled. Many of the sisters at our retirement community expressed their delight that we are returning to the Diocese of Cleveland where many of them have served,” Sister Nesmith said.
Father Damian Ference, the vicar for evangelization and Director of Parish Life and Special Ministries, described Sister Nesmith as “a joyful missionary disciple who comes to us with great pastoral experience and wisdom.” She has served as a teacher, campus minister, pastoral associate, executive director, pastoral life coordinator, chaplain, instructor, and most recently, vice president of her religious community. Among the places she has ministered are Pennsylvania, Jamaica, West Indies, Evansville Indiana, Louisiana, and Seattle Washington.
Sr. Jane wrote the book “Feed the Multitudes,” a personal testimony of the ways God blessed one community with methods to revitalize an inner-city parish. She also produced a rosary CD, “Mysteries, A Soulful Rosary Experience,” and co-edited a rosary booklet highlighting work by a Black artist and quotes from St. Katharine Drexel.
In this new role, Sr. Jane will carry out advocacy for the concerns and needs of African American Catholics by providing support to the Diocesan Race Relations Committee, Diocesan Gospel Choir, the Diocesan African Catholic community, and the Catholic schools and institutions that serve the greater African American community. The office also communicates with various offices in support of issues relating to African American Catholic ministry and serves in an advisory capacity to the bishop’s staff regarding matters of concern to African Americans.
“But when all is said and done, I consider my greatest claim to fame as being a child of God,” Sister Nesmith said, adding, “As I often say, God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.”
