At the present time, due to the absence
of our usual office staff due to illnesses, I find that I am doing a lot of “in
house” work, attending to details that usually are taken care of by Lucy Hickey
and Jane Imber. This experience takes me
back to the days when I was at St. Timothy Parish as a seminarian, the summer
of 1983. It just so happened that year
that Fr. Ted Thomas, the Pastor, and Lucy Hickey, the Parish Secretary, had
arranged to take their vacations at the same time. Before she left, Lucy let me in on some of
the secrets of how the Office functioned, so I could assist with the essentials
while those in charge were away.
When Fr. Ted came back from his
vacation, I mentioned something to him about what happened in the Office. He responded, “Oh, that’s how we do it.” I realized in that moment that parish priests
often don’t know how things are done, but rely on the staff to do them. Happily, since those days, I have kept in
touch with the basics. And so, in the
absence of the usual workers, I am able to keep things moving, while not
exactly seamlessly, at least in the right direction. When I told a priest friend that I had to
work on the bulletin, he told me that he would not have a clue as to how to do
that. I consider myself blessed to have
worked with office staff through my years of priesthood who have let me know
how they do what they do.
I am most grateful to Lucy and Jane and
our bookkeeper Dottie Cocola and all who have kept things running smoothly both
when I am here and when I am away.
Please join me in prayer for a return to health for our staff and to
their speedy return to repair my mistakes while they are away. Thanks go out to those who are volunteering
to fill in, Rita Feige, Dan McCallister and Kathleen Carlson. We ask for your patience as we try to figure
things out to get back to you when you happen to call.
It has occurred to me that we really
need to create a list of skills that our parishioners may have that can be
useful. Do you have an office skill that you might be able to offer to us so we
won’t have to rely on the Pastor in the future?
I would love to have a team of folks ready to cover what needs to be
done. Send us a note or give us a call
to let us know what you can offer. If
God has given you a talent or a gift, it is for others. Your parish might just have a place for
you! Thanks to all who work so
diligently behind the scenes to keep us on track. You are appreciated even if we don’t always
mention it. We certainly miss you when
you are away!
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