I have been a member of Holy Family since the Church first opened. I first volunteered in the choir and as a minister who brought Eucharist on Sunday to the elderly in a Barrington nursing home and to the homebound.
I took a sabbatical from volunteer work at Holy Family during which time I helped with raising funds for Shriner’s Children Hospitals. I retired two years ago and rejoined the Sunday and Resurrection Choirs.
I eventually joined the Funeral Ministry, first as a Funeral Minister, assisting with the hospitality before Mass and serving at Mass itself, and later the Funeral Planning Ministry, assisting the family during the Mass planning (learning all about their loved ones, helping them choose the Mass readings and the hymns), providing the visitation service at the funeral home, and being present at the funeral service at Holy Family to make certain everything runs smoothly for the family.
How did you first become involved in volunteering at Holy Family?
I always enjoyed singing and working with the elderly. Later, I had a desire to get involved in working with families to help them plan funerals. Once I retired, I had the availability to join the Funeral Planning Ministry. Now that I look back on it, I know that desire was really a calling, because I really love what I do.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering?
I enjoy working with so many talented volunteers from the Choir Members to the Funeral Ministers. As a Funeral Planning Minister, I know that we bring comfort to families at such a difficult time in their lives and they are always so grateful for our assistance. Seeing the Mass come together as a celebration of the person’s life and knowing the family feels they honored their loved one in the best way possible, brings all of us great joy.
How do you spend your time when you are not involved at Holy Family?
I also enjoy reading and traveling with my husband. I also love to spend time with my grandchildren and attend their athletic activities including soccer and volleyball.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering?
I’d say – Go for it, get involved! If you feel a slight pull toward a specific volunteer activity, make every effort to investigate and join a ministry. You will find such fulfillment in your efforts.
I would like to also share that…..
It’s great to be retired. I get to do all the things I couldn’t do when I worked. Like volunteering!!
I’m also in a Movie Club – we go to the movies once a month (when it’s my turn to pick the movie, I usually pick an animated film (I’m such a Grandma!). I’m also in a Theater Club – we attend four musicals a season at the Paramount Theater. The last two musicals, Mary Poppins and Tommy – I was happy to see the music directors were previous Holy Family musicians (Jeff and Tom)! The last great book I read was, “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande. It’s written by a surgeon who researches the limits of medicine and living a life with meaning in one’s declining years.