by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Most readers of The Leaven have never met Anita McSorley.
But they’ve encountered her heart — it’s embedded in the headlines, photographs and stories that fill the pages of the award-winning archdiocesan newspaper every issue.
“I always think of her as the engine in The Leaven,” said former editor Father Mark Goldasich, “because she was behind the scenes for the most part.
“But she literally kept The Leaven running.”
McSorley has been its managing editor for the past 38 years.
On July 24, she’s turning the page of her own story as her time with The Leaven comes to a close and her retirement chapter begins.
Mentor and friend
A member of St. Patrick Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, McSorley grew up in Wyandotte County and, after graduate school and working in editing and public relations in New York for six years, returned home and began her career at the paper.
“The Leaven has been her life for almost 40 years,” said Todd Habiger. “And she really has poured her heart and soul into it during all that time.
“She’s devoted her life to The Leaven and to the people of the archdiocese — to inform, educate and entertain them.”
Habiger, who has taken the reigns as interim managing editor, joined The Leaven’s staff in 1995 as its production manager.
He first met McSorley two and a half years prior through his wife, Lori, who worked for the paper after graduating college.
“Anita is a good boss,” he said, “but she’s a better friend. She has a really good heart, and she cares about her employees.”
“People that have worked here have stayed here for a long time,” he continued, “and I think that’s a tribute to the culture that Anita and Father Mark have given us for 30 years.”
McSorley didn’t just lead by example, said Habiger, but she strived to set her staff up for success.
“When somebody cares about you like that, you want to give them your best,” he said.
Bold vision
More than 1,500 issues of The Leaven were produced under McSorley’s direction.
The content within them was consistently recognized on a national level by the Catholic Media Association (formerly the Catholic Press Association) at its annual awards ceremony.
“The Leaven has won hundreds of awards over the years,” said Habiger. “I would say Anita’s fingerprints are all over those awards.
“She’s a very good editor. She could be a tough editor, too. She really wants to put out the best product available.”
Father Goldasich praised McSorley’s unique vision for Catholic storytelling.
“She helped people appreciate the day-to-day faith,” he said. “It isn’t just about the priests or the bishop or nuns or religious brothers doing things — it’s ordinary people.
“She got that from her family. Her dad and her mom were really wonderful people, really faithful people. I think she picked up a lot of that stuff.”
Adaptable approach
McSorley worked under four archbishops throughout her career, including Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann, who was president of The Leaven for more than 20 years.
“Anita helped to make The Leaven very readable and engaging by the use of photography and featuring many human interest stories,” said Archbishop Naumann.
“As the former archbishop, I was always impressed by the number of people who read The Leaven and found it a great tool for their formation in the faith,” he added.
Archbishop Shawn McKnight also praised McSorley’s work.
“Anita exemplifies what it means to be a lay woman whose leadership has had an incredible impact on our local church for more than 40 years,” he said. “Because of her professional expertise in Catholic communications, she has brought our mission to life in the pages of The Leaven.”
McSorley not only adapted to the expectations of each archbishop, said Habiger, but she also met the demands of the ever-changing newspaper business.
From typing articles line by line into a compugraphic machine in the late ‘80s to learning how to operate a computer in the early ‘90s and now prioritizing a robust social media presence, McSorley has kept up with the rapid technological advancements.
“Anita’s always wanted to be on the cutting edge of technology and be out in front of things,” said Habiger. “She pushed for our first website before a lot of papers were doing websites.
“She could see where journalism was heading and wanted to be at the forefront of that.”
One of a kind
McSorley’s three children had a front row seat to her tireless work ethic over the years.
“Growing up, I always knew how much her work meant to her and how seriously she took the responsibility of telling stories that mattered to our community and our faith,” said her eldest, Colleen Hager.
“More than anything, she was passionate about learning about other people and sharing their stories and experiences,” she continued. “She truly cared about the individuals and communities she wrote about, and she spent her career uplifting and supporting those around her.”
Hager said her mom’s work “was never just a career to her — it was a calling.”
“What means the most to me is that, despite all the time and energy she devoted to her work, she was also an amazing mom,” said Hager. “She somehow balanced deadlines, responsibilities and family life with grace, always offering love, guidance and support.”
Father Goldasich said McSorley and her children extended that love to his own family. They adopted his late mother, Angeline, “as another grandma,” he said.
“When Mom was in assisted living and the nursing center, they were always popping in on her,” said Father Goldasich. “Whenever Mom would go to the hospital, I’d give Anita a holler and, without fail, she’d come and, if nothing else, just sit with me.
“Many times, she would go when I couldn’t. If I had Mass or something on the weekends, she’d go and sit with Mom at the hospital.
“She’s just a very compassionate, kind person.”
A lifetime of achievement
Her deadline days have come to an end, but walking away from the legacy she’s built at The Leaven won’t be easy for McSorley.
“She has given her all to her employees and to the people of the archdiocese for 38 years,” said Habiger.
Father Goldasich hopes her first priority in retirement will be to rest.
“The second thing I’d tell her is to knock down that to-be-read pile of books that she has,” he said.
“I think she’s earned this — more than earned it,” he added.
Hager is excited for her mom to enjoy the next stage of her life.
“Her retirement marks the end of an extraordinary chapter,” she said, “and I hope she knows just how much of an impact she has had — not only through her work, but also on the people who have had the privilege of knowing and loving her.”
“Retirement will also mean spending more time with her wildly smart and energetic granddaughter,” she continued, “who very well may have inherited those traits from her grandmother.
“I have a feeling she’s about to discover that keeping up with a four-year-old is a full-time job in its own right.”
