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Stewards Among Us

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    Year of St. Joseph

Katie Reyes
Have you ever chatted with someone and been left with the feeling, “I’m so glad I got to meet this person!” I always feel that God has a way of putting in front of me the people I need to meet. Each person has something to teach us.

     Let me introduce you to Katie Reyes. You’ve probably seen her around, her daughters are involved as Altar Servers, her mom is quite active here, and Katie spends a good amount of time on the campus. She is the kind of mom that teaches her children about their spirituality EVERY day! And she comes by this naturally. As a child her mother taught her that giving back is important; serving others is important. Katie proudly tells me that she was the first female Altar Server in her church.   She has been inspired by the Marians and their desire to perform random acts of kindness.

     As a child she had an opportunity to see Mother Teresa in Charlotte. Her take away as an 11 year old? Do small things with great love. And she does…

     Those small things include being a bridge for the Latino community with translating and attending meetings to make sure that community is represented. Do small things…. Katie is also a catechist, which she finds the most rewarding of her many roles on campus. While at St. Therese Katie has also volunteered as a Lector and has served on Pastoral Council.

   So what was my take away from meeting Katie? In many ways, she is like all of us – busy with little time for herself. And like many, she walks with the calm smile of strong faith. She walks with the confidence that comes from doing small things with great love. A Steward in Action!

Rob Anderson
I was scanning the pews for inspiration for this column. I’m happy to say that there is an infinite number of choices to write about. But then today’s steward walked up to me and I saw him in a new light!

     As many of you know, Rob Anderson is truly my better half! Admittedly, he is the one that makes my heart jump! He is a “cradle” Catholic, was raised by a predominantly Irish family, went to Catholic school in Queens, NY for a few years and even has a story or two about a certain nun and a red paddle!

     Rob’s family always believed in service. His father was in the Army and was a volunteer fire fighter. Even in their 80’s, his parents still volunteer at St. Matthew! As a child Rob went through the sacraments. In time he went on to earn his Eagle Scout award. Before we had children Rob was part of the Big Brother program. When we lived in Wisconsin he started his journey as a Knight and found this very rewarding. Since moving to Mooresville, he has become very involved with the Knights of Columbus here at St. Therese. Rob is also a runner and so it was a natural fit for him to offer his time and organizational talent helping the Christian Mission with the Turkey Trot 5K. From there evolved the LAMB 5K which benefits special education classes in our community.

     Rob is an example of what you might call unconventional stewardship. At the end of the day, he is an ordinary person. He loves his family, he loves his church. He is grateful for this life God has blessed him with. What sets him apart is his ability to find a need, fill a need; to use his talents to help others. Many of us are called in different ways. Rob’s calling is to use every day to its fullest to benefit others and solve problems. If you see him in the parking lot directing traffic or at Walmart handing out Tootsie Rolls, give him a smile, tell him he’s doing a good job. Like many of us, he is spending his time away from family, helping people he may never meet, all in the name of God. That may just be the definition of stewardship…

Raelin
     If you go to 10:00am Mass, you’ve seen Raelin. If you drop by the library, chances are, you’ve met Raelin.   You probably know her parents, Heather and Sean. Maybe you have seen her younger siblings in her arms.

     I had the opportunity to chat with Raelin one Sunday morning. While working on a plate of pancakes, she told me about the place church has in her heart. Rae started as an Altar Server 3 years ago. She had seen her cousin become an Altar Server and thought it would be something she too, would like to do.   After a few minutes with Raelin, it quickly becomes clear the importance serving God has for her. She often serves at 10:00am and then again at 5:30pm before Youth Group. I asked her what it is REALLY like up there, during Mass. She told me quite honestly that it is hard to focus at first because you see all the people in the pews. But then her eyes lit up as she told me about her favorite part of the Mass…the consecration. “it is a blessing to receive the Eucharist after seeing all the work that goes into a Mass. Being an Altar Server is also a good way to get closer to God.”

     So what does this 14 year old get from spending so much time at St. Therese? She responds, ”I will not feel complete unless I go to Mass.” Wow! Raelin has a few younger siblings and tries to balance helping her mom, being home schooled and a normal teenager. Although she is now taking riding and piano lessons, she notes that church is a second home for her at this time of her life. And like so many her age, she is trying to figure out the road she will take. She wonders what her calling will be; she wonders what she will be when she grows up. She can envision having a family when she’s older, but she also relates to Mother Teresa and the Sisters of Charity. Already she knows that she wants to have an impact on the next generation, perhaps as a teacher. It is easy to be impressed by the composure this young lady has about her. She is quick with a smile. She is a mentor to new Altar Servers and quick to jump in to help. But I think the thing I notice most about her is the quiet sense of grace she carries with her. Raelin strikes me as someone who will make a difference in her days. Her heart is in the right place; her soul is in the right place.   She really is a Steward Among Us!

Dodie Sink
If you came to St. Therese on any given day for Mass, most likely you would pick her out in a crowd. She would be the one wearing a smile and a seasonal sweater. Her warmth shows a life of devotion to her church and her family.

After spending time with Dodie Sink, it is apparent that her love for both church and family have built her foundation for serving. Dodie, growing up in both Indiana and Statesville, came from a traditional Catholic family. She is one of 12 children, with most of her siblings living close by. Living two blocks from her church, it was not unusual to find her family at church helping. “If the doors were open, we were there!”

After receiving a degree in nursing, Dodie met the love of her life: Joe. Being in the Air Force, Joe took his bride to Maine where he was stationed until he was sent to Vietnam. With two small children and no family members nearby to help, Dodie found her support and haven through her other family: the church.

At St. Therese, Dodie has been a Eucharistic Minister for many years. She has served as a Homebound Minister and relishes the relationships that have come from this. Dodie is also one of our beloved Church Mice. Ever so quietly, our “mice” take care of the altar linens, vestments and make sure the altar is set and ready for Mass. Fr. Mark and Fr. Paul have great admiration for this group!
How lucky we are to have her in our church! She is a true gem in the pews!

For more information about becoming a Eucharistic Minister and serving the homebound, visit our website link:   https://www.sainttherese.net/homebound-ministers.

St. Therese Catholic Church

217 Brawley School Road, Mooresville, NC 28117

Stewards Among Us