Sister Jerome retiring, Kubik named director

By JORDYN GRZELEWSKI

jgrzelewski@vindy.com

CANFIELD — At age 99, Sister Jerome Corcoran has decided it’s time to retire – sort of.

At the end of the month she’ll step down as director of Sister Jerome’s Mission, a ministry of the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown founded by Corcoran in 2012, she announced Thursday.

The mission aims to help working-poor urban families with emergency expenses and to help young adults from working-poor urban families pursue higher-education opportunities. The ministry reportedly reached 400 people last year.

Maraline Kubik will take over as director after Corcoran’s final day next Friday. Kubik most recently worked in public relations for Mercy Health. She previously worked in other public- relations capacities and in journalism.

“After more than 75 years of active ministry, Sister Jerome certainly deserves to enjoy a less-hectic schedule. I know she will continue to be active serving God’s people, especially the poor, but without having the responsibility for the administration of the program,” said Sister Mary McCormick, general superior of the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown.

Corcoran does indeed plan to remain active, she said.

“First, Bermuda, then Las Vegas for a week, and then people talk about Australia,” she jokingly said of her retirement plans. “I’ll try not to take too many cruises.”

Corcoran plans to tutor inmates at the Mahoning County jail and residents of Community Corrections Association. Her goal is to help people obtain a GED.

She said she’ll miss working with the people with whom her ministry brought her into contact, but, “I’ll be praying for them as usual.”

Kubik said she doesn’t see the transition as her “taking over” as director, as she’ll continue what Corcoran started.

“Sister Jerome has very big shoes to fill, so I’m very excited about furthering her mission,” she said.

Under Kubik’s leadership, the focus of the mission will be to grow the program that helps underprivileged young adults get a college education. The program helps with transportation, clothing and food expenses that might prevent some people from staying in college.

“I think that’s really where we are able to make a difference in the community,” Kubik said.