It is truly a blessing to have SO MANY people in this parish who are nominated and approved to be V.I.P.'s (Very Important Parishioners) for each month of the year. It speaks certainly of the size of the parish, and the many whose efforts to praise God go beyond what is done in the pews at Mass to what they do in a variety of ways outside of Mass in the parish and in the community in which we live.
I will share with you that more than a couple of people, when asked if they would be honored as VIP for a particular month have turned it down. I do appreciate the humility that leads at least in part to their rejection of this request as they feel they do what they do for the glory of God as a servant in Christ, and not for public recognition. I would ask them to reconsider if asked again as highlighting what someone does in ministry and activity in public or behind the scenes (or both) might indeed inspire others to consider doing one or some of these ministries.
This month's VIP's Walter and Judy Free are ones who gladly do so much behind the scenes to serve the Lord and others. Firstly, they are weekly Eucharistic Adorers who, I would imagine, have been giving at least an hour a week to the Lord in our chapel since we stated Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration and thus have grown in union with him and in anticipation of being with the Lord forever in heaven. They never miss when it comes to participating in Mass for the "Lord's Day" unless sickness prevents them from doing so. While I don't have a list of their ministries and activities in front of me right now, I can tell you for sure that each of them has been VERY active in the Knights of Columbus (Walter) and the Ladies of the Sacred Heart (Judy). They are "worker bees" who step forward to serve whether asked or by initiating actions of service on their own. I have especially appreciated Judy's dedication to our youth through Guild 8 in all the ways that her guild has provided food for them on various occasions, especially when they receive sacraments in the Church. With Walter, I recall the countless instances when he has come early and stayed late before and after Mass respectively to sell tickets for a Knight's event, in most instances doing so for all three Masses on a weekend. I know there is much more that I could add to this list, but I won't as I know them to be "humble" servants of the Lord and would be fine (and maybe even prefer) that I not list everything they have done and some things they continue to do (like weekly Eucharistic Adoration). God bless Walter and Judy, and may more be inspired to choose the path of continual service for the Lord and others!
I will share with you that more than a couple of people, when asked if they would be honored as VIP for a particular month have turned it down. I do appreciate the humility that leads at least in part to their rejection of this request as they feel they do what they do for the glory of God as a servant in Christ, and not for public recognition. I would ask them to reconsider if asked again as highlighting what someone does in ministry and activity in public or behind the scenes (or both) might indeed inspire others to consider doing one or some of these ministries.
This month's VIP's Walter and Judy Free are ones who gladly do so much behind the scenes to serve the Lord and others. Firstly, they are weekly Eucharistic Adorers who, I would imagine, have been giving at least an hour a week to the Lord in our chapel since we stated Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration and thus have grown in union with him and in anticipation of being with the Lord forever in heaven. They never miss when it comes to participating in Mass for the "Lord's Day" unless sickness prevents them from doing so. While I don't have a list of their ministries and activities in front of me right now, I can tell you for sure that each of them has been VERY active in the Knights of Columbus (Walter) and the Ladies of the Sacred Heart (Judy). They are "worker bees" who step forward to serve whether asked or by initiating actions of service on their own. I have especially appreciated Judy's dedication to our youth through Guild 8 in all the ways that her guild has provided food for them on various occasions, especially when they receive sacraments in the Church. With Walter, I recall the countless instances when he has come early and stayed late before and after Mass respectively to sell tickets for a Knight's event, in most instances doing so for all three Masses on a weekend. I know there is much more that I could add to this list, but I won't as I know them to be "humble" servants of the Lord and would be fine (and maybe even prefer) that I not list everything they have done and some things they continue to do (like weekly Eucharistic Adoration). God bless Walter and Judy, and may more be inspired to choose the path of continual service for the Lord and others!