The Catholic Archdiocese of Bridgeport has appointed its first woman parish leader.

Eleanor Sauers is the first woman in the Bridgeport Diocese to be installed as the Parish Life coordinator at St. Anthony of Padua Church.

Sauers will oversee the daily administration of the parish, while a team of priests will fulfill its sacramental needs such as celebrating Mass.

She has been a member of the parish since 2002. Bishop Frank Caggiano joined the parish for the celebration of the announcement Sunday.

Sauers received her doctorate degree in religion from Fordam University.

She says she hopes that as a woman leader, she will give hope to other women in the church.