Mary Beth Osborne has evoked ethics, leadership in ways reflecting Jesus in others
A member of Good Shepherd Parish in Camp Hill, Mary Beth Osborne brings Christ and Catholic values to her work in public service.Many lines of work lend themselves directly to becoming a ministry, such as the priesthood and religious life, or fields of compassion such as counseling and health care.
The field of law and business don’t often conjure up images of ministry, but Mary Beth Osborne, the President of the Harrisburg Chapter of Legatus, has dedicated her life to bringing Christ and Catholic values to her vocation in the courtroom and beyond.
“I really do believe and I’ve tried to live that – ‘To whom much is given, much is required,’” said Osborne, a member of Good Shepherd Parish in Camp Hill.
“Jesus taught us that we have to be responsible, and we have to use our gifts and talents to serve and help other people, and make a positive impact on the world.”
Osborne’s impact has come through the legal profession, one spent mainly through public service in government legal roles or those partnering with civic leaders and government organizations.
She has served in positions ranging from Pennsylvania Chief Deputy Attorney General to a general counsel’s role and Director of Regulatory Affairs for the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission before heading to Rolka Loube LLC as Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel. Her company assists state and federal regulatory agencies concerning utilities, telecommunications and educational savings programs.
“Succeeding in something is only really meaningful if you’re contributing to the common good or the common purpose,” Osborne says.
“That’s why I loved my government service so much, because I was involved with issues of my time, in our time, in our day, trying to help people.”
Mary Beth Osborne, center, gathers with Legatus members at the Northeast Chapters’ Christmas party.While she knew her legal calling came from as early as fifth grade growing up in coal country, her faith really grew in college at Saint Mary’s of Indiana, a women’s college that partners with the nearby University of Notre Dame.
“I went many, many days out of the week to Mass. It was very easy between Saint Mary’s and Notre Dame,” she said.
“I began to really look at the law through the lens of social justice as Catholicism views it. God made each of us in His image and likeness, so we should see the face of Christ in every person we deal with. It is a mantra of mine,” she said.
Osborne’s role has seen her play multiple leadership positions, and her faith has pushed her to model the way for her office teams.
“I really tried to lead by example, showing the hard work, honesty, integrity, kindness,” she said.
“If you exhibit that, then the people that you’re working with, it instills those same values into your teams, and then they learn to do it,” she added.
The worlds of law don’t always evoke the thought of high ethics and social responsibility. That’s where Osborne has focused her career on seeing the face of Christ in the courtroom and the legal office.
“We have to respect each other. I do think when you have that mindset, and when you show someone respect, they will begin to show it in return,” she said.
“My faith has helped me have that. It’s honed my moral compass, if you will, and helps me stay grounded to what really matters, what’s really important.”
Osborne feels that Legatus has immensely supported her faith life. The Latin word for “ambassador,” Legatus began as a ministry project by former Domino’s Pizza owner Tom Monaghan, one that focused on uniting Catholic CEOs and top-level business leaders in ministry.
“He said, ‘I had all this stuff. I had the boats, the planes, the houses, the properties and the wealth, but I just didn’t have what I needed,’” Osborne said of Monaghan’s reason behind the organization.
“‘If I am not helping people get to Heaven, am I really doing what God intended me to do? That’s a really powerful thing to hear a very successful professional person say, and I think that was very moving for me,” she reflected.
Members of the Harrisburg Chapter of Legatus gather with Bishop Ronald Gainer during a pilgrimage to the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Emmitsburg, Md.In 2016, Bishop Ronald Gainer founded the Legatus Chapter in Harrisburg, one which holds events like monthly Mass and dinner plus early-morning monthly meetings to bring a sense of fellowship and oneness in purpose to support the faith of fellow business leaders.
“A lot of times you have to make decisions, and it’s difficult and lonely,” said Osborne.
“Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to share those things with people who are similarly situated in their businesses, to help reinforce our faith when the times get rough, and to have a group working together in a format that will help us grow our faith?”
But for Osborne, that growth in faith cannot happen without her own commitment to an internal prayer life.
“Anything that I have been able to accomplish, trust me, is only because I am praying like crazy,” she said.
“I’m asking the Holy Spirit to enlighten my mind, grant me an intellect that I can shepherd in some meaningful way,” she said.
Editor’s Note: Catholic businessmen and women celebrate on November 13 the feast of their patron saint, Homobonus. Born Omobono Tucenghi, he was a cloth merchant in Cremona, Italy, in the 12th century. He and his wife gave much of their profits to people living in poverty and were devoted to practicing the Corporal Works of Mercy. He died on November 13, 1197, while attending Mass and was canonized two years later. His name is derived from the Latin “homo bonus,” meaning “good man.”
(Jay Sorgi is a freelance reporter for The Catholic Witness. Photos courtesy of Mary Beth Osborne.)
By Jay Sorgi, The Catholic Witness
