Sr. Ginger Downey, OLVM
A native of the State of Wyoming and the Diocese of Cheyenne, Sr. Ginger was raised on a farm in the central part of the state. She is the youngest of five daughters. She entered the congregation of Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters (Victory Noll) after graduation from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelors of Science in Sociology.
Sister Ginger has lived and worked in seven states and 8 dioceses. In the first years after entering Victory Noll, she served in religious education both as catechesis and then later as the director. Though the experience of working with children and parents in preparation for the celebration of the sacraments she came to realize the importance of liturgy, and liturgy celebrated well.
In 1994 she entered St. John’s University, in Collegeville, MN where she earned a Masters of Theology in Liturgical Studies. In studying liturgy with the Benedictines at St. John’s, she deepened her love of liturgy and the impact it can have on people in their daily lives. Upon graduation she combined her experience in religious education and her degree in liturgy by serving as a pastoral associate.
In 2000 she was appointed vocation director for her religious community and served in this position for five years. Even though vocation ministry took her out of a parish liturgical life she continued to use her liturgical skills in preparing Eucharistic liturgies, prayer experiences and celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours, during retreats and days of inquiry.
The desert called Sr. Ginger back to Phoenix in the summer of 2004 where she ministered with young adults at All Saints Newman Center, the campus community for Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. In 2006, she was invited to serve as the Director of the Office of Worship for the Phoenix Diocese, a position she held until this past February.
During the past 15 years Sr. Ginger has conducted workshops on liturgy, religious education and vocational discernment as well as being retreat director and spiritual companion for those continuing on their journey of faith.
Along with all things liturgical, Sr. Ginger finds a rejuvenating spirit in being in her back yard where she grows herbs and vegetables for cooking, one of her other interests as well as a variety of flowers.
Currently Sr. Ginger lives with two sisters from her religious community in Phoenix, AZ.