Denver Catholic

57 DENVER CATHOLIC | OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2025 "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35) DISCIPLE OF THE MONTH Guided by faith, serving with heart: Mary Ann's story Con g r atulations MARY ANN LOOBY for being the Archbishop's Catholic Appeal "Disciple of the Month." If you know someone else who is courageously spreading the Gospel, please share his or her story with us at give.archden.org/nominate and they may become the next "Disciple of the Month!" For Mary Ann Looby, retirement has been anything but slowing down. She has poured her gifts and professional experience into serving the Church through St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities. Her connection began more than ten years ago, volunteering at fundraisers and programs that became Marisol Family. "I just kind of knew. I was starting to see retirement in my future and thinking, you know what? I really do want to volunteer at Catholic Charities," Mary Ann recalls. With a background as a licensed clinical social worker and addiction counselor, she brought decades of professional experience as she began serving as a volunteer school counselor at Notre Dame Catholic School in Denver. "It was something I always wanted to do in my career and never did," Mary Ann said. "I really enjoyed working with the kids, families and staff. It was a total gift." For four years, she counseled students one day a week, teaching mental health and "success skills" such as planning, organizing and perseverance. In 2022, she shifted to St. Raphael Counseling's clinical side, focusing on grief support. "Spirituality is nurtured in every part of the mission," she said. "It's been enriching and given me great community. Sometimes I wish I had one more career left so I could serve as a full-time employee. "You're going to find love and acceptance, and that is alive in our Church," Mary Ann said. "Our diocese and Catholic Charities are here to serve, and I feel blessed to be part of that mission."

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