Mary E. Collingwood is a Certified Lay Ecclesial Minister for the Diocese of Cleveland and received her Master of Arts Degree in Theology from St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Wickliffe, Ohio. Her studies at St. Mary Seminary also included a graduate assistantship under Rev. Donald B. Cozzens, PhD.

Her formal ministry at Gesu began in January of 2006 as a minister in marriage preparation and enrichment, as well as a procurator in processing marriage annulments. Other involvements at Gesu include the Evangelization Committee and the Vibrant Parish Life Leadership Clustering Committee.

She is the past director of the Cleveland Diocesan Pro-Life Office, and has worked as Pastoral Minister and Director of Religious Education at St. Martin of Tours Parish in Maple Heights, Ohio. Mary has also served the Cleveland Diocese as an Advisory Board Member for the Pastoral Ministry Office, on the Board of Directors for the Catholic Ministry of Healthcare Professionals, as an Advisory Board Member for the Office of Continuing Education and Formation of Ministers, and served on the formation team for the Diocesan Ministry to the Gay-Lesbian Catholic Community.

Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Commission on Catholic Community Action. Her professional memberships include the National Association of Lay Ministry (NALM) and the North Coast Association of Lay Ministers (NOCALM).

Mary and her husband, Rich, have been blessed with seven children and have been active parishioners at Gesu since 1992. Her professional and life experience has been significantly formative in her hope and vision for the lay leader's role in the Church of the 21st century.