But these missionary mavens are not here to perform, instead they pray. In doing so, they provide a traveling parish for a traveling circus community. It’s an unusual ministry that some find hard to believe.
“When I started, it was a joke to everybody that knew me,” chuckles Sister Mary Seibert of the Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart Of Jesus (MSC).
But that didn’t stop her from leaving the Diocese of San Bernardino and joining the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Circus and Traveling Shows Ministry. It’s aim; meet the spiritual needs of roving performers. That means Sr. Mary along with fellow MSC Sister Dorothy Fabritze must hit the road as well. They spend most of the year caravanning with up to four different circuses for about three months at a time. All the while, hauling a travel trailer that serves as home and office. The pair recently stopped in Ontario with Circus Vargas. Although Sr. Mary is 84 years old, she says this nomadic lifestyle is no problem.
“I lived in Papua New Guinea as a missionary for 43 years traveling by boat and jeep so I don’t find this hard,” she says. “I also had five older brothers and grew up on a farm. I had lots of preparation for this work!”
And work it is. You can find Sister Mary greeting circus goers and selling souvenirs but she says her number one job is to “show up and smile.” Sr. Dorothy has lead this ministry for 17 years and has worked everything from the ticket booth to the prop crew. At one time, Sr. Dorothy and her former partner in ministry were actually employed by the circus.
“We did that because this is a subculture, the circus culture. It really is unto its own and we were trying to break into that culture,” Sr. Dorothy explains. “We helped the circus people to see we really want to learn what they are doing.”
The nuns are now off the circus payroll, but their ongoing commitment opens the door to dialogue and religious education. It’s a much needed service since the USCCB estimates that 40 percent of traveling performers are Catholic.
“I think our presence starts it and the rest just comes,” says Sr. Mary. “They just kind of appear and say, my child hasn’t made his First Communion, or needs to be baptized. Then we help them.”
That frankness came as a surprise.
“Often you say you’re a nun and instantly there’s a barrier,” Sr. Mary admits. “But these people feel comfortable with us.”
In addition to teaching the faith, the sisters bring Mass to the circus. Once a week, staff takes a seat as a local priest takes the stage. Office Manager Andrea Bachliyski is grateful for the convenience.
“When you’re traveling with a show, you don’t have a chance to go (to Mass). It is a crazy life and I think you forget what makes you have peace. So having the sisters here and having Mass here gives you a little peace and brings you back to what is important.”
Mass may draw a crowd but some performers say what they really need is a pre-show prayer.
“My hands get sweaty. I pray before and after every act,” reveals trapeze artist Ingrid Silva. She credits the sisters for bringing her much-needed spirituality and serenity.
“Around them I feel calm. I love them, they’re sweet.”
Sweet with the can do spirit of a missionary…
Once during the sisters’ ministry, a circus was pulling up its stakes; permanently. Many employees would be out of a job and some would be out of the country due to immigration issues. The nuns quickly organized a special service with a chaplain.
“We wanted to encourage them, just be with them,” Sr. Mary recalls. “We were just praying together and I think that was very touching for the people.”
Even those who normally don’t attend church can find God under the big top. Sr. Dorothy remembers one employee struggling with his faith after the loss of a child. Slowly over time he opened up to her and following the attacks of September 11, even took part in prayer.
“He said, “I never prayed with you before but I’ll pray with you tonight,”, remembers Sr. Dorothy with tears in her eyes.
Realizing this ministry’s impact, the nuns want it to carry on once they’ve moved on. Thus, a lay leadership program was born. Volunteers train during the sisters’ stay then continue via Skype.
“We want them to be a parish community that worships together, prays together, that serves the wider community together and I believe they can do that,” says Sr. Dorothy.
Circus Vargas General Manager Angelina Quevedo agrees and wants to play a part.
“As a lay leader, I’m hoping the children will continue to come to me. I’ll be doing handouts, activities, getting them ready for the Sacraments.”
Quevedo’s own daughters take circus Catechism classes and recently made their First Communion.
“Sister Dorothy is very funny. Every single time we read something she acts it out and it’s funny,” laughs Aby, age 9.
Her 10 year old sister, Calista, says they’re lucky to have the sisters around.
“I like it because we get to learn about the Church and the life of Jesus.”
Backstage Manager Luis Rivera was a circus kid and now travels with his own children. He’s grateful for the sisters’ influence.
“It changes a lot here at the circus. First of all, with the kids. They pray, they thank us for taking them to school. When I grew up in Mexico, we didn’t have this in the circus. The sisters are really dedicated to the kids.”
The adults have also changed their ways, says Quevedo.
“You see a vast difference in the way people are acting toward each other here on the show. There’s more camaraderie.”
This comes as no surprise to Sr. Dorothy.
“Definitely they tell us this happens. They’re challenged by the sheer presence of a witness. That’s what Jesus did!”
The next time the circus comes to town, poke around and you’ll probably spot the sisters. No one’s ready for retirement yet.
“I’ve been blessed with good health so I haven’t made any plans to give up,” says Sr. Mary.
Adds Sr. Dorothy, “God told me when to start. God will tell me when to finish.”
Natalie Romano is a freelance writer and a parishioner of The Holy Name of Jesus in Redlands.