Raised in St. Louis, Sister Mary Kay attended Incarnate Word Academy where she subsequently taught for 18 years. She took her first vows in 1961. She taught math at the University of Missouri for 10 years before retiring in 2002, and took a full-time job as a site coordinator with St. Louis Habitat for Humanity.

"A site coordinator is kind of a supervisor who oversees the construction," she said. "I supervised the construction of 15 houses in 2002. It's a perfect match," she said. "It's what I love to do, to work with my hands and at the same time to help the homeless"

"If we, as a congregation, are here to promote human dignity, then in my mind giving a homeless family the opportunity to become homeowners is a dramatic way to promote human dignity,” she said. “Plus, it gives our new homeowners a sense of power because they have to help build the house they eventually own."

Asked how long she thinks she will continue building homes for the homeless, Sister Mary Kay replied, "I'll do this as long as my body holds out."

Note: Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization and welcomes anyone to join to help build affordable houses in partnership with those in need of adequate shelter. Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 125,000 houses in more than 80 countries, including some 45,000 houses across the United States. Habitat for Humanity is building in more than 3,000 towns, cities, and villages in more than 80 countries worldwide. Local Habitat affiliates coordinate house building and select partner families. Homeowner families are chosen according to their need; their ability to repay the no-profit, no-interest mortgage; and their willingness to work in partnership with Habitat. Habitat for Humanity does not discriminate according to race, religion or ethnic group.