For almost five decades, Anna Summers has been a familiar, composed and compassionate presence for laity and clergy in the Diocese of Camden.
As the current secretary to the vicar general and chancellor looks to retire May 30, she reflects on her career and a lifetime of faith, family and service.
“Every day, I’ve offered it all up to the Lord and asked Him to help me do something good,” Summers said.
‘Good witnesses’
Born in Camden in 1951, the first of 10 children to Anna and Frank Quinton, Summers recalled growing up in a home that “fostered the faith” through both works and worship.
Daily Mass at Sacred Heart Parish was a priority. Her father served as president of the parish’s Holy Name Society and was a volunteer for the Diocese’s House of Charity appeal. Her mother dutifully kept the household running.
The seeds of faith were also planted by the religious women and men she encountered, especially the Dominican sisters who staffed Sacred Heart School.
In addition to attending school, she explained that “every Sunday, I would walk three blocks from my house to the Dominican sisters’ convent, and we’d talk like friends.”
“I loved them,” she said, coming to appreciate the “very joyful, kind, faithful and loving community.”
“The sisters loved their life of service, and everyone at the parish loved being around them. They were good witnesses for me.”
During her high school years at Cathedral Academy, Summers became more active at Sacred Heart Parish, first as a sacristan — preparing vestments and sacred vessels for liturgies — and later assisting with dinner and cleanup at the priests’ residence six days a week, where she earned her first paycheck.
“For $12 a week, I would set the table up very formally, with the plates, utensils, napkins. After dinner, I would come back in the dining room, get the plates, wash them, and then set the table back up for breakfast,” she said.
Shortly after graduating high school in 1969 at age 17, another job opportunity came her way, courtesy of Sister Martin Marie, a School Sister of Notre Dame and principal of Cathedral Academy.
“She asked me, ‘Do you have a job yet?’ I told her ‘no,’ and she responded, ‘Well, you got one now. You’re starting at the Chancery on Monday.’”
Summers had no idea what the Chancery was – the central administrative office of a diocese that handles documents, records, duties and communications – but she trusted Sister Martin Marie’s direction.
“I didn’t know where I was going, but it all worked out.”
Right at home
On her first day at the diocesan office, which at the time was located at 721 Cooper St., she began working under the vice chancellor, assisting with parish deeds, dispensations and switchboard operations. She said she felt right at home.
“The faith was a part of me,” Summers said. “I wouldn’t live any other way. Every day of work, I’ve asked the Lord, ‘Let me do what you want me to do.’”
Three months later, she moved upstairs to work with then-chancellor Msgr. Anthony Molitierno and Auxiliary Bishop James L. Schad.
In 1971, she married James Summers. After the birth of their first child, Anna, in 1972, she left her role in Camden to raise their growing family in National Park.
After Anna came James, Frank, Loretta, Shannon and Philip. Summers remained deeply engaged at Saint Matthew Church, integrating parish and family life seamlessly.
“I did youth ministry, PTA, religious education, choir, Vacation Bible School and worked part-time evenings in the rectory,” she recalled.
In 1992, the Diocese came calling again through Msgr. Joseph Pokusa, then-chancellor.
“I saw him at my daughter Shannon’s Confirmation, and a week later, he called me and asked me to work for six weeks,” Summers remembered.
With her oldest now 20 and youngest 10, she returned to diocesan work, this time at 1845 Haddon Ave.
Over the decades that followed – and another move, this time to the current 631 Market St. – Summers continued to be a dedicated presence in the Chancery, answering phones and handling letters of suitability for priests, clergy reports, deeds, ministerial agreements and sacramental records.
For many, she is the first point of contact with the Diocese, but no matter the inquiry, her demeanor remains unchanged.
“I try to be welcoming and courteous to them all,” Summers said. “If the person on the other end of the line is dealing with hardship, I’ll tell them that I’ll add them to my prayer list. When I tell them that, they’re grateful.”
Faces and voices may change, but her faith remains constant.
“Every day, I ask God to use me, and have me say what He wants me to say. I try to be kind, helpful, and hopefully, plant a seed,” she said. “I do feel like I’ve helped.”
Colleagues who inspire
Summers is grateful for the friendships she’s formed with colleagues like retired staff Rita Bernert and Susan Patullo, and current secretary to Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan, Dolores Orihel.
With these women, she found a support system for life’s joys and sorrows. For example, when her parents died, “I knew I could go to them; it’s a great feeling to know that.”
She continued, “Working together for the same cause has brought us closer and strengthened our bond.”
She speaks highly of her colleagues Father Robert Hughes, vicar general and moderator of the Curia, and Father Jason Rocks, diocesan chancellor, calling them “dedicated, good, holy men.”
She cherishes the good people she’s met. “They’ve inspired me. And, of course, when you’re inspired, you want to do that yourself.”
A highlight of her diocesan service came in 2021, when she received the Bishop’s Medal for Meritorious Service, presented by Bishop Sullivan.
Describing the moment at Saint Agnes Church, Our Lady of Hope Parish in Blackwood, as surreal, she said, “I was honored and appreciative to be recognized.”
The future is bright
After nearly 45 years in Camden, Summers is ready to spend more time with her husband, children, 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren – with two more on the way.
“My husband and I both have good health right now, and I’m just going to do some things with him and my family,” she said, mentioning other things she’s looking forward to. “I’m going to take care of my geraniums, rhododendrons and lavender bush … and I’m going to take more walks.”
She’s also looking forward to the annual Summers family crawl – a tradition where the family visits each other’s homes in one evening for food and fellowship.
Each year has a theme. This year is numbers.
“My house is doing the three little pigs,” she said with a laugh, adding that she is already planning pulled pork and pigs in a blanket for the July gathering.
Though she admits it will be different not making the trip to downtown Camden each morning, she’s confident that “God will provide. I just have to wait and see how He shows it to me.”
She leaves with fond memories and “wonderful relationships with the priests and laity.”
“I’ll miss the diocesan Masses, the music, everyone participating. I’ll miss the retreats, which reminded me that we’re all in this together.
Working for the Church, it was comforting to know I wasn’t alone, and there are people who feel the same way I do. It wasn’t a matter of deciding to work here; I just knew that He’d take care of me. God’s been alive in me every day of my life. As Mother Teresa said, ‘I’m a little pencil in the hand of God.’”
Summers leaves confident that the Diocese of Camden has more strong pencils, writing the next chapter of the Catholic Church in South Jersey. “The Church is alive and well; there are a lot of people here in the Diocese making the mission of the Church happen.”
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