The family that prays together, stays together. At St. Mary Parish we have two families that also serve together as hospitality ministers: the father and daughter team of Joe and his daughter Sophia, and the father and son team of Scott and his son Tom.

Joe and Sophia, serve at the 7:30 a.m. Mass, and have been doing so for four years. Joe said he got involved when he heard Arnie Szaj and Elizabeth Makowski, both hospitality ministers, talking about the need for more people in the ministry. They asked Joe if he would be interested. Sophia immediately asked if she could be one, too. Elizabeth checked with Daniel O’Connor, Director of Worship, and he approved.

Joe opens the doors at the bell tower doors as people walk in, while Sophia, greets and counts the attendees, so that an adequate number of hosts can be consecrated for the liturgy. Sophia distributes bulletins at the end of Mass, too. Joe and his wife, Lisamarie, are Eucharist ministers and help with clean-up. Sophia is an altar server, as well.

Sophia said the best part of being a hospitality minister is “you get to meet new people. It is also an opportunity to grow closer to God.” Joe said he likes the role because “the other hospitality ministers are such kind and loving people. Also, I really love greeting the people who come in. I love it when I see people with physical challenges, as they don’t let those challenges stop them from being here every Sunday.”

It was Sophia’s involvement in the ministry that prompted Tom and Scott to become hospitality ministers. “I heard about Sophia in Mrs. Luebke’s class at St. Mary. I went home and asked my dad if we could do this and he agreed,” said Tom. Scott and Tom have served at the 9:00 a.m. liturgy for about a year now. “It was always something I was interested in,” said Scott.

The father/son team greet people in the Gathering Space and direct the flow of people during communion. Tom enjoys the ministry because he likes to help people. Scott said that “working with the other hospitality ministers and greeting all the families that we already know and meeting new ones is rewarding. Doing this ministry together every Sunday is something we look forward to.”

Like the Joe and Sophia, the Tom and Scot are equally involved in parish life. A daughter Sylvia is a server and Jennifer, Scott’s wife, is a Eucharist minister and helps with Liturgy of the Word for children. She also teaches in the parish school.

Scott noted the family “fell in love with the community when we joined the parish. It is really welcoming.” Joe echoed Scott’s comments. “I have been to many parishes in my life. The first moment I walked in and was greeted by Brigid O’Donnell (former staff member), I felt welcome.”

- article by parishioner, Bev Jurkowski