Celebrate the Journey 2026 Sheds Light on Sister Luke’s Legacy

Sister Luke Boiarski retired from leading the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Lay Mission Volunteer Program during the Celebrate the Journey 2026 gathering on Sept. 24 at the Nazareth Motherhouse Campus. Boiarski had guided the ministry since 2008, directing volunteers to disaster recovery sites and various global ministries.

During her leadership, Boiarski made 22 trips to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, led volunteers in building 51 homes in Belize, and spent 10 summers serving on the Crow Reservation in Montana. Volunteer teams also traveled to Botswana, India, and Nepal. Bardstown Mayor Dick Heaton presented Boiarski with the key to the city during the event.

Volunteer Ronnie Mattingly, who has served with the Sisters for 18 years, said Boiarski taught him that people matter more than the work itself. Boiarski told the audience that the families who welcomed volunteers and the communities that offered their trust were what stayed with her most throughout her years of service.