During Lent, you may have witnessed a man wearing a funny fish hat, diligently working the fryer at Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) and serving up fried fish for the masses. Bob Considine has been working at the IHM Lenten Fish Fries for over 25 years while his wife, Mary, works the front lines, helping process orders as hungry patrons file into the cafeteria. The IHM Lenten Fish Fry is just one example of how Bob and Mary have found ways to be an integral part of the IHM Parish community.

The Considines have been parishioners at IHM dating back to 1996 when a job transfer brought Bob, Mary, and their two sons from Indianapolis to Cincinnati. They enrolled their son, Colin, a third grader at the time at IHM. Likewise, they enrolled their son, Ryan, at Ayer Elementary for kindergarten. It was at that juncture that Bob and Mary began to involve themselves in various parish ministries, namely Father’s Team, CYO Coaching, women’s bible studies, IHM Boosters, and much more. Furthermore, Mary’s family-owned stained glass business in Indianapolis created the stained-glass windows and etched doors in IHM Church, adding yet another lasting connection between the Considine family and the parish.

A vibrant parish community, IHM naturally offers many opportunities for anyone to get involved in a myriad of church ministries.

Mary said, “There are so many opportunities to get involved with at IHM that if you can’t choose one that best fits your talents, then perhaps maybe something is wrong with you. There’s something for everybody if you’re willing to invest the time.”

The list of ministries Bob and Mary have engaged with over the years is a lengthy one. More recently, they have channeled their efforts into the newly commissioned Mental Wellness Ministry. Bob and Mary share a passion for mental health issues that runs deep. 

Mary said, “Sadly, our son, Ryan, died by suicide 10 years ago, so we feel like everything we do, all our volunteer efforts, are a way for us to honor Ryan’s legacy. We feel strongly that if we can help just one person who might be battling depression or anxiety, then our work has been fruitful.”

Ryan is remembered for being a very inclusive person who took great pride in welcoming those who felt left out or on the margins. It’s been said that to know Ryan was to know someone who was full of compassion and warmth; a gentle soul who made you feel that you were someone special.

The defining mantra for Bob and Mary as they walk this journey is centered around finding joy in this life. Over time, they have found that this can be best accomplished by reaching out to others in much the same way that Ryan did. The SGG Mental Wellness Ministry has proven to be an ideal avenue to reach their goals.

Bob has found his calling as a facilitator of Mental Wellness Gatherings. These groups meet a couple of times a month, providing spiritual accompaniment for those battling mental health challenges. 

Bob said, “I’m not too adept with computers and spreadsheets as my strengths ultimately lie in my interpersonal skills.”

Mary is fond of saying that her husband’s cup is always half full and that he doesn’t know a stranger. The ministry work has provided Bob with a sense of gratification when he can visibly witness a change in someone’s demeanor. At the end of the day, for Bob, it’s all about bringing back joy.

Mary, who was a substitute teacher for over 18 years, has found her calling in the Mental Wellness Ministry by focusing on working with the children in the St. Gregory the Great Family of Parishes. She plays an active role in helping youth overcome the stigma surrounding mental health challenges.

Mary was instrumental in establishing the Green Ribbon Project at IHM School. This has been a widely successful program for the youth. Mary has tied this program to the month of May, which has traditionally been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month. Students are encouraged to wear a green ribbon attached to their name tags for the month. Green ribbons are the symbol for mental health awareness. In addition, fifth graders are given the task of writing affirmations to help build a sense of community and encouragement, thereby sparking conversations about mental health awareness and fostering deeper conversations among students. These affirmations have also had the effect of trickling down to parents who then become engaged in these discussions.

Bob and Mary are not drawn to the limelight for their volunteer activities. In fact, they would rather tear a page out of St. Francis’s book and just let their actions speak for themselves.

Mary says, “Our faith is the most important thing in our lives, followed closely by our family and community at IHM. We feel truly blessed.”