The 'Sister Captain'

Sister Joy Manthey always knew she would follow her heart’s call for a religious vocation, but she put off the commitment while pursuing her dream of being a riverboat captain—one she had had since childhood when she hitched rides along the Mississippi River, sometimes getting a chance to steer.

That all changed in 1995. “One day when I was a first mate of an intercoastal fuel barge operating in the Galveston Bay area, and the captain almost capsized the boat,” Manthey recalls, “I said on the spot, ‘Okay, God, I won’t put it off anymore. I’m all yours.’”

She joined the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille, an order of nuns with branches in New Orleans—her home base—as well as in Baton Rouge, Cincinnati, and Minnesota. Manthey chose this group, whose members include Dead Man Walking author Sister Helen Prejean, because of “their willingness to let us pursue varied and unique ministries and careers.”

For Manthey, that meant creating the first-ever ministry available to members of inland waterway boat crews—the men and women who transport America’s raw materials across thousands of river miles.

“A lot of these guys will join up with a riverboat transport company, not really understanding the scope of their work, the restrictions on their freedom,” Manthey says. “They quickly understand the frustration of not being around for a baptism, or a wedding, or some family problem because they have to go on a 30-day cruise up the Tennessee River. That’s where I can offer help.”

Clearly in her element among the riverboats and crews, Manthey knows every port of call throughout America’s inland waterways—where she’s been at the helm of boats hauling coal, bauxite, and other major commodities that keep the country running. With a marine career spanning more than 20 years, the 40-ish Manthey can share her own experiences dealing with loneliness, boredom, and long periods of “hurry up and wait” while boats are loading, unloading, or being repaired.

She also comes through for crew members and their families in more life-threatening matters, recalling an occasion when a crewman suffered a heart attack. She stayed with him in the intensive-care unit until his family arrived.

Manthey took her vows in January 2000, after spending five years in preparation, and her river ministry blossomed shortly after. One day in Paducah, Ky., an important river commerce center, Manthey met the Rev. Jean Smith who was a chaplain with the Seamen’s Church Institute of New York and New Jersey, an ecumenical ministry providing support services to crew members aboard ocean-bound transport ships, primarily on the nation’s east coast. Manthey explained her goals to Smith, and the institute immediately helped launch her program.

On any given day now, you can find “Sister Captain” at one of several boat yards in the New Orleans area chatting with crews awaiting repairs on their craft, or she’ll hop a riverboat and ply the waters of the Mississippi and Ohio, making stops in small ports along the way to offer assistance, words of kindness, and a prayer or two.

“A lot of what I do, also, is keeping in touch with other ministers who are part of our network,” Manthey explains. “They’re not full time with us. They have their own churches, but they have agreed to offer support from their position of being close to a river port, large or small. And they are available to reach out when someone needs help.”

Manthey works closely with Karen Cox, the Paducah-based ministry project coordinator for the Seamen’s Institute, who helps manage many of the chaplains’ tasks.

“Joy is a true Godsend,” Cox says. “She understands intrinsically the needs of the folks who work the river, because she’s been there. There is an instant recognition with these folks that Joy can really help because she knows the ropes.”

Dennis O’Connor is a regular contributor to American Profile.

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