Spotlight On Stewardship of Saints Peter and Paul RC Church, Manorville, NY 631-369-1273

What Does your ministry do?
RCIA - the Rite of Christian Initiation as an Adult -- we journey in faith with adults (catechumens - those who have never been baptized and candidates - those baptized in other Christian faiths, or Catholics who have not received all the sacraments of initiation) who wish to become fully initiated in the Catholic faith. This is at least a year long process, meeting weekly to discuss the doctrines of our faith and to share with these individuals what my faith means to me and how I live it out in my life.

What drew you to this ministry?
I was invited to join the RCIA team about 8 years ago and because I wanted to learn more about my faith I eagerly entered the ministry. In the beginning I sat back and listened to other team members share their faith with the candidates and catechumens. After a while I felt comfortable enough to participate in the conversations. It became a wonderful learning experience and I have since gone on to take classes offered by the Diocese to train me in leading the RCIA program.

How long have you been with Saints Peter and Paul? Approximately 9 years

What special talents did you have that might enhance your skill in this ministry?
I’m very organized and am told that I am a good listener, someone who makes people feel important and comfortable talking with me.

What do you gain from this ministry?
There is always something new to learn and much of this can be done by listening to other people’s stories. We all have our own idea of who God is and just when I think I have an inkling of where I can see God, somebody will say something that will jolt me into the realization that the more I think I know, the less I really do. And that makes me want to take more classes, or read more books, or share more openly with fellow Christians who in turn help me to enter into a deeper relationship with my God.

What would you say to a parishioner if they wanted to volunteer, that might not consider this ministry except for your recommendation?
Even though I had 12 years of Catholic education, I never felt qualified to share my faith with others. Several years ago I entered and completed the Pastoral Formation Institute process, which lasts for two years. PFI is a way of learning more about your relationship with God, than formal education per se. But in the process, you do learn, or perhaps remember, things that have been taught to you over the years. So if I were to say anything that might help a parishioner consider a certain ministry, I would tell them to bring to the ministry everything that you are and allow God to work within you to bring you to a new understanding of what it means to serve and to bring His Kingdom to light in this world, a sort of come as you are approach.

What other ministries have you been involved with and why?
EM - Sharing the Body and Blood of Christ with other parishioners. When you think of the awesome privilege of this ministry, it can actually bring you to a higher understanding of what it means to serve and be part of a community of believers.
EM to the Homebound - I bring Communion to Wanda Patterson, who because of her physical condition, can no longer attend Church. I usually spend the better part of an hour, talking about things that are happening in our parish and sharing the homily and how that lesson plays out in our lives. The blessings that I receive from this ministry are overwhelming. Wanda is such a wonderful person and her spirituality has lifted me up many times. She tells me that I do a lot for our Church, and I tell her that I am able to do what I do because she is praying for me -- its community at its finest.
I have also had the blessed opportunity to bring communion to several people, fully knowing that this would be their last Eucharist. To share with the Body of Christ with a friend who is drawing close to the end of life is an experience I will always cherish, no matter how hard it was to actually minister to that person. In reality, I believe that they ministered more to me than I did to them.

Baptismal Prep Sponsor - I am assigned to a family who will have their child baptized in our Church. I help to impart to them in a fuller understanding of the Sacrament and what it means to be a baptized in the faith. My presence on the day of the Christening also takes the burden off the parents to know when to stand, sit, walk to the font, etc.
Pastoral Council - we discuss the state of our parish and look forwards to where we would like to see our parish in the future.

Why do you volunteer? I know with all my heart that God loves me unconditionally and no matter what I have done in the past, or will do in the future, all I have to do is ask forgiveness and He will give it to me. Jesus loves me so much that he willingly died for me so that I may spend eternal life with Him. With that knowledge comes a great joy and peace. I volunteer because I want to help others come to the understanding that God loves them in that same way. How better can I thank God for all my blessings than by serving and ministering to His People.