Alva Review-Courier -

ULYSSES, Kan. (AP) — The vicar of the southwest sounds like the next Masterpiece Theater mystery.

However, the title belongs to Mother Carolyn Ballinger - a real vicar - who went from being a clinical psychologist in Seattle to becoming an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Western Kansas.

Ballinger's narrative is filled with twists and turns as the Holy Spirit led her to change the course of her life midstream.

The path brought her to where she is today: serving a cluster of southwest churches in the diocese.

"This was all too coincidental, it had to be the holy spirit," Ballinger said, as sh...