Mary feels blessed beyond blessed to have been born to Bob and Lois Hansen, whose home was permeated with faith, hope, and love. Mary was baptized, received first Holy Communion, confirmed, and married to Mike at St. Edward Catholic Church in Waterloo, Iowa. The Lord blessed their marriage with six children. Mary’s greatest joy has been serving as the mother of Liz, Laura, Erik, Billy, Joe, and Bob. Adding to the joy are Laura’s husband, Zach Zeckser, and Erik’s new wife, Maria Wiering Pedersen. Best of all are their grandchildren, Freddy, Gemma and Ellie Zeckser!

As a young mother, Mary became involved in Birthright, women's Bible studies, and many other parish activities. It was through these ministries, and the deep friendship of other women of God, that Mary began to thirst for an intimate relationship with Jesus.

When her children were school age, Mary was approached and asked to prepare for ecclesial ministry. After prayer and discernment, Mary entered the Masters of Religious Studies at Loras College of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, IA, where her knowledge and love of the Catholic faith grew in breadth and depth. At the encouragement of her adviser, Mary entered the Doctorate of Ministry in Preaching program at the Aquinas Institute of Theology. There, Mary claimed her distinctive voice as a preacher in the Church.

Mary has had the great privilege of serving the Church as a Director of Religious Education and as a Campus Minister for a Catholic high school. She has witnessed and loved many healthy and hurting men, women, teens, and children. She desires for each person to recognize and become who God has intended for them to be. Her preaching ministry testifies to God’s magnificent love and benevolent action as our eternal Parent—gifting each of us with our highest human dignity as a beloved child of God!
 

Education:
Doctorate of Ministry in Preaching: 2011
Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis, Missouri
Masters of Religious Studies:
Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa
Bachelor of Business Administration:
University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa

*Doctoral Thesis Project:
Parents as First Preachers: Naming Grace in the Domestic Church

Work Experience:
Adjunct Professor
Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa
Campus Minister: 2008-2010
Columbus Catholic High School, Waterloo, Iowa
Director of Religious Education: 2001-2007
St. Edward Catholic Church, Waterloo, Iowa