Mary Lynn and Deacon Jim Shanahan

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Award
Mary Lynn and Deacon Jim Shanahan
Community Leaders

Mary Lynn and Jim first met in 1983 in Washington, DC. Mary Lynn had moved temporarily to DC to attend graduate school; Jim had moved temporarily to join his firm’s National Office as a “tour of duty.” After waiting out a stubborn boyfriend of Mary Lynn, Jim and she started dating in 1984, got married a year later at Holy Trinity Catholic Church and made Washington their home.

The Shanahans are blessed with four wonderful sons who married amazing women. Today, Mary Lynn and Jim have seven grandchildren whom they adore.

After long careers with IBM and PwC, Mary Lynn and Jim have devoted their lives to serving the poor. Mary Lynn has focused her energy on the Catholic education of children. Her active involvement with the Washington School for Girls, San Miguel School and Christ Child has changed the lives of many young children.

Upon retirement from PwC, Jim was ordained a Deacon in 2013. Cardinal Wuerl assigned Jim to Catholic Charities as his “Ministry of Charity” (Matthew 25:31-45). During thirteen years at the agency, Jim has accompanied the poor as an immigration/tax lawyer, financial advisor and advocate. He also founded and directed the Catholic Charities’ Financial Stability Network—a group of pro bono accountants and lawyers ensuring “economic justice for all” through education, financial coaching and tax refund assistance.

Through their accompaniment, their efforts to change unjust economic structures and heartfelt gestures of closeness and support, Mary Lynn and Jim strive to make sure the poor and the marginalized realize that Jesus’ words are addressed personally to each of them: “I have loved you” (Rev. 3:9) (Dilexi Te, 121).

Mary Lynn and Jim attribute their love for the poor to the 16 years of Catholic Social Teaching they each received from the many religious sisters and brothers honored by SOAR!