Sr. Jean Rhoads, D.C., Joins Archdiocese Office of Native Ministry

Sr. Jean Rhoads is not one to shy away from adventure, and on May 27, 2025 she began a new one, arriving in Alaska for the first time. It is Sr. Jean’s 50^th year as a Daughter of Charity, and, while Alaska is a popular tourist destination for those celebrating milestone anniversaries, Sr. Jean didn’t travel to Alaska as a sightseer but to minister as the new director of the Office of Native Ministry for the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau.

She shared, “I volunteered because I heard there was a need and I thought, I’ve had a lot of variety in my ministry and I’m available. It’s a gift to come here.”

Sr. Jean’s background is in education and health administration. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, she has lived “everywhere from Pennsylvania down to Florida, so almost every state along the east” as well as serving in Missouri and Indiana.

Looking forward to her time in Alaska she said, “I came just thinking this will be an exciting adventure, right? The idea of coming to be with people and help people, it’s a joy to my heart.” In her new position Sr. Jean plans on drawing on past experiences with spiritual accompaniment, noting, “I feel like my role really is to listen, to learn, and to celebrate the cultures of the Alaska Natives. I’ve met tremendous people so far and enjoy being with them and serving them with really anything we can to build up our mutual faith.”

According to the archdiocesan website, the mission statement for the Office of Native Ministries is “To empower Native Leadership in roles of Worship, Evangelization, Peace and Justice, and Cultural Preservation.” The office supports several Kateri Circles, faith sharing communities that honor the spirituality and life of St. Kateri Tekawitha.

In July, Sr. Jean traveled with several Alaskan Kateri Circle members to the annual meeting of the Tekawitha Conference, held this year in Las Cruces, New Mexico. A story about the Tekakwitha Conference is also printed in this issue, where Sr. Jean shares her wonderful experiences.

Along with supporting Kateri Circles, the Office also livestreams Sunday Mass on its Facebook page with the express purpose of extending community to those who live in remote places in the archdiocese without a priest.

The highlight of the past few months for Sr. Jean has been “meeting and being with the people, sharing faith and celebrating their culture.” She looks forward to this new ministry in Alaska, knowing that no matter where she is geographically the journey of faith remains vibrant, for “the Lord lives in each of us and the more we can share the life of Christ with others, the deeper and richer our lives are.”