Marian's Sister Mary Jo Getting Her 'MoJo' On For Espy Award

Dancing through a line of applause and cheers, Sister Mary Jo was ready for Los Angeles. With her mitt in the air, Marian Catholic’s Sister Mary Jo is ready to catch an Espy award.

The charismatic nun's life changed forever on August 18, 2018, when she threw out the first pitch at a Chicago White Sox game. After bopping the ball on her forearm, she threw the ball for a perfect strike. It’s been a whirlwind of media interviews, appearances on talk shows and now a nomination for an Espy award. She spoke about what this has meant.

“This journey is about being down to earth and wholehearted. It’s about we not me,” explained Sister Mary Jo. “The joy and enthusiasm that I approach every appearance with is inspiring people, I hope, to be witnesses of joy and enthusiasm in their own lives, too. The opportunities I’ve been given to engage people and draw them into an experience of how God wants to use them gives momentum to the first pitch, creating something of a conspiracy of hope and truth in a world where doubt and despair loom large.”

Within the past few months, Sister Mary Jo has scored her own bobblehead and her own Topps baseball card. On Wednesday, July 10, she will see if she has won an Espy for the “Best Viral Sports Moment.” Her pitch has not only garnered publicity but her role as a theology teacher and nun at Marian Catholic has made her the second most popular nun in Chicago.

“I believe God is using me to give others a fresh perspective of church, where what’s different can still be seen as credible,” said Sister Mary Jo. “I testify to how religious sisters can be in the world but not of the world, detached but not unrelatable, vowed but no less available to love and serve.”

Going with Sister Mary Jo Sobiek to Los Angeles is Dan Kozlowski, who is Vice President for Advancement at Marian Catholic. Last year, when the Chicago White Sox asked Kozlowski for someone to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, he thought of Sister Mary Jo.

“Never could I have imagined the media attention that this first pitch would bring,” explained Kozlowski. “I knew she had some talent when we threw the ball around multiple times leading up to the pitch. She mentioned to me that she "had something up her sleeve," but I told her not to tell me and told her to "do whatever she was going to do." When she first threw the pitch, my reaction was a laugh of shear surprise that she pulled it off because I knew that on that stage, that couldn't have been easy and her performance was truly perfect.”

Joining the celebration for Sister Mary Jo are the Chicago White Sox. The team has been nominated for Espy awards but never in the history of their baseball franchise has anyone gotten an Espy nomination for a ceremonial first pitch. Sheena Quinn, Senior Director of Public Relations for the Chicago White Sox, explains their support for their favorite nun.

“Sister Mary Jo’s pitch certainly caught the attention of our players and coaches who have seen a lot of first pitches. Based on their reaction, if her current professional calling doesn’t work out, she may certainly want to pursue the work of a pitcher given her ability to hit her spot behind the plate.”

Sister Mary Jo appreciates all the love from the Chicago White Sox organization and their fans. “I’d like to publicly thank the Chicago White Sox organization for their hospitality and the perks they provided throughout the day that made it unforgettable for all.”

During the school year, Sister Mary Jo takes her students to Chicago to feed the homeless; she’s been doing this for years. Even before her viral sports moments, the nun is so popular a lot of students hang out in her classroom before school and during lunch. Former students continue to have contact with her due to her advice to continue to share the love and light of Jesus.

“I’ve often told the students it’s not the number of degrees you get in life that measure your worth but the degree to which you live from your heart that matters most,” Sister Mary Jo explained.

“Being scholars with a soul is about sharing our successes with others... giving back... being generous and hospitable to those who’ve never had the opportunities we’ve had. I’d hope my commitment to homeless missions would teach that and continue to inspire others to be mindful of the least among us. We are the richest when we share what we have with those in need, in all manner of speaking... time, talent, and treasure.”

Another goal for Sister Mary Jo was starting a scholarship fund for area students who would like to attend Marian Catholic but can’t afford it.

“Anybody interested in making a contribution to the Sister Mary Jo Sobieck Endowed Scholarship Fund can make a gift through the Marian Catholic website at www.marianchs.com and click on Support Marian at the top of the page,” said Kozlowski. “From our giving page they can select Sisters scholarship fund. Thank you so much, in advance, for your generosity in supporting our "Scholars with a Soul."

Keeping her mission alive, Sister Mary Jo continues to be inspiring on and off the field.

“Do your best and let God do the rest,” Sister Mary Jo added.