St. Francis of Assisi Grateful Believers
Lay Witness Talks - 2007
Page 2

Roger Dunlap

The Ministry Fair is next weekend. It is our chance to showcase the many gifts of ministry that we enjoy here in our St. Francis parish. I would like to take a few minutes and give my perspective on all of our gifts and the responsibility we all have to use them.

Christmas is around the corner again. We will all buy presents for one another. We especially look to the children. We buy and give primarily in the hopes of making them happy. But, don’t we expect a little more after we give the child that gift? If you’re like most parents of grandparents, we expect the child to take care of that gift. Have you ever given a pet to a child? We usually give them the cute little puppy, kitty or goldfish with the hope of instilling some responsibility into them by giving them something they will learn to take care of. Even if we give them a toy we expect them to take care of that toy and not to destroy it immediately. Gifts are getting pretty expensive. In giving them a gift we ask them to take stewardship over that toy or animal.

The same is true with gifts we receive. If one of your kids gives you a tie or sweater, or makes a mug out of clay, no matter the color or what is on the gift, they expect you to use or wear it. And you will, despite the looks you may receive from your co-workers who marvel at the bright red colored Rudolph the red nosed reindeer tie your are wearing after Christmas. You take on the responsibility to show your children that you value the gifts they give you. You want them to understand there is value in all the gifts that they receive. The same is true of the gifts they receive called; their talents.

As parents we want our kids to develop all their gifts. That’s why we take them to band practice or debate clubs or soccer practice. We hire tutors or special teachers if we think it will help them realize their talents and take full responsibility for them.

What about us now that we are older? Are we developing our gifts the same as we expected of our children? Do we value our gifts, our talents?

Every person sitting in this church has talents. Picture this. Use your imagination.

In front of you is a large bag. Not just a grocery bag that you get from Meier’s or Kroger’s. It’s one of those huge bags we all picture Santa Claus carrying around at Christmas. Inside that bag you put all your talents. You also put all the excuses you use for not using those talents. If you look around you’ll notice that nobody has the exact same gifts that you have. You all have a bag of gifts that is different from everybody else. If you aren’t using those talents that bag gets to be pretty heavy carrying it around all the time. When mass is over you have to pick up that bag and carry it around all day. It’s time you took some of them out of the bag. And throw away the excuses. The bag will lighten up considerably.

Now take a closer look at those gifts sitting in that bag. They come in all sizes. Maybe it’s a smile or a kind word, or maybe you have the ability to explain things clearly to other people. Maybe you organize things. You have a mind that puts things in their place. You can build things out of wood or metal, or sew or crochet. Maybe you listen well. Are you good with your hands? Can you create things? Do you draw or can you write? Tell stories? Do you get along with children? Maybe you relate well with teenagers. Do you enjoy working with our older citizens? Do you pray? Do you want to know more about prayer? We all have something in our bag. Don’t you think it’s time to lighten the load a little?

I’ve got a pretty big bag of gifts myself that I carry around. I have a talent for writing stories. I’m no Pulitzer prize winner but I can turn a an interesting story or two if I set my mind to it. Years ago I would write a story and put it away. No one knew about it. No one read it. I was like the guy in the bible who lit a candle and put a bushel basket over it. I wouldn’t let the light shine out. After awhile I came to the conclusion that what I was doing was just silly. I have a gift and I was being irresponsible by not showing that I valued that gift. There was false pride. Once I learned that lesson, my world began to open up. I haven’t been published yet but I share my stories with others and I enjoy writing a lot more.

I also work with the RCIA. I have been a sponsor for two men so far. It is a very rewarding experience. I am not a theologian but I don’t have to be. What they needed was someone to walk with them during their journey to become a Catholic. When I was first asked to help I came up with all kinds of excuses as to why I couldn’t do it. Eventually I realized it was the right thing for me to do and I’ve never regretted it.

Before that I taught in the Religious Ed program for many years. I was not a teacher at first, but I learned. The reason I did it was because at the parish I was in at the time, no one else was volunteering. It was me or nobody. I taught a seventh grade class because there was no one else. I think I learned more that year than any year since.

If you think about it, that’s the case many times. Nobody is like you. Nobody has the talents you have. You may be just the person that can touch somebody in some way that will benefit them and you.

Next week at the fair you will meet some of the greatest people you will ever meet and they’re right here in our parish. Now, they would be the last person to say they are great but in my eyes they are. Go talk to Bill DeVito who works with the teenagers. Bill also doubles as The Mulch Man. He’s the guy who sells you all your mulch in the spring strictly to help the teenagers. Talk to Jim Gruden. He’s The Accordion Man who works with our younger kids. When you walk by his classroom you will hear him and his accordion blaring out, “This Little Light of Mine”. A good lesson for all of us. Karen Freivogel works in a ministry that makes prayer shawls for the sick. We have a fantastic music ministry headed up by Paula Kern. These are some of the people you will meet next week at the fair. Talk to them. See what fits for you. Dig some of those talents out of your bag and start using them. You’ll find yourself walking a little taller.
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Linda Tortorici

There is a poster in the narthex that speaks of vocations to the priesthood.  It says, "There are rarely trumpets or midnight visions."  The first time I read that line, I smiled, because it is so true for all of us.

I have been a parishioner since 1984.  I thought that I was doing enough "I came to church, I put my envelope in the basket every week, I attended church functions" in short, "I joined in" - I was doing what I needed to do to be a member of the parish.

One Sunday I was reading the bulletin during Mass (I know that I’m "not supposed to") and read that St. Francis needed CCD teachers.  It may sound strange, but it spoke to me!  I had seen that plea before but it never spoke to me directly.  My friend suggested that we co-teach that it would be fun to do it together.  So we volunteered.  We chose the third grade "it wasn‘t a sacramental year" (I figured it would be easier) and we were off.  My friend lasted a month but I continued.

Fourteen years later, I am still on my journey.  I can honestly say that it has been a wonderful road to traverse - so much has happened.  I did take the usual beginning courses so I would have the basics down.  It is one thing to be a Catholic; it is another to teach someone else to be a Catholic.  I decided to take it seriously.  My first year was fun. I couldn‘t wait for the second year to start.  Every year since has been special.  My first class of students will be graduating from college next spring!  Every year I have taught, the Spirit was there to carry me when I needed help with my lessons, so I could share the message with the children. I received back from the children at least tenfold what I gave to them.  I have learned more from the children than I have taught them!

After my first year of teaching, I began taking classes for additional certification so I would be sure to have the information correct.  There were classes that informed, classes that challenged me.  I struggled with putting some of this information into my faith beliefs.  I went through a gamut of emotions - I felt elated, let down, questioning myself at times.  I discovered that while I had signed on to provide a service to my parish, I was also on my own personal faith journey!  By simply volunteering to share a gift, I was given the experience of personal and spiritual growth.  There are so many wonderful parts to this.  You learn that you truly can give to others in your own way, but you will be given something in return.  St Francis said, "it is in giving that we receive"  It is so true!

I volunteered to teach, because I was truly called "through the church bulletin" but I was also called to be accountable for my gift.  You must accept ownership of what you do and offer it to the community.  As a third grade CCD teacher, I teach the Apostle‘s Creed.  It says that we are one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.  It simply means that we are one community who follow Christ‘s teachings to do service and share our gifts with the community and are open to all people.  These are the basic tenants of our faith beliefs.
You don’t have to do something huge, it can be something small.  But you need to be open to accepting your gift of stewardship and do it willingly.  You will be rewarded.  Volunteer in a small way. 

I love the kitchen - one of my favorite places in the world.  Years ago, I helped out heating up dishes for a funeral luncheon.  The ladies who ran the Martha Ministry program were wonderful.  There was kindness and laughter.  I enjoyed being with them.  Today, most of them have retired or passed on and new people have "emerged" or have been called to this ministry.  It is so simple to bring in a side dish or set up, serve or clean the hall.  It is simple.  A parishioner brought in a casserole once that was delicious.  A family member of the deceased asked for the recipe and I promised her I would get it for her.   I called the parishioner but she didn’t respond.  Persistence "paid off" I finally reached her and she admitted to not wanting to tell me the recipe because she had purchased the casserole and put it in her dish for presentation.  With her other commitments, she wanted to give something but she didn’t have time to make something homemade.  Very simple - she gave of herself.  I see volunteering in any way for the lunches as a spiritual work of mercy.  We bury the dead and at the same time offer solace to the families.  Simple tasks to do, menial in some ways - always rewarding - but offering a gift by sharing it with our community.

There have been times that I have been overjoyed, elated; other times when I have been overwhelmed with commitments; but have always continued to volunteer.  I have been given the opportunity to struggle with my faith only to learn and grow.  You need to first be aware that you have something to offer, however small you think it is, and then take action.  Mother Teresa said "Love cannot remain by itself -- it has no meaning.   Love has to be put into action, and that action is service."

The third grade curriculum is about the church as community.  I teach that we need to follow in the footsteps of Christ and do good things.  The 3rd grade is only the beginning.  We all need to continue and seek out service to do.  We all have gifts.  We need to recognize them, own them and most of all share them.  It is about our individual faith journeys.  One again, I quote Mother Teresa, "To show great love for God and our neighbor we need not do great things. It is how much love we put in the doing that makes our offering something beautiful for God."

Listen hard.  You may be asked in "many ways," just please answer the call and take action.  Remember, "There are no great things, only small things with great love." (Mother Teresa)
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Bobbie Rowland

ACCOUNTABILITY  STEWARDSHIP

As I’ve gone through life, I’ve found that the more I gave of the gifts I have been given, the more I received in return. 

God has blessed me with innumerable gifts. Do I use them all? Have I always been accountable to develop & share these gifts that I have been given? Unfortunately, the answer is no. I have, however, cherished my life as a gift from God. For many years I thought that if I went to church every Sunday, loved God, my family & friends & lived a Christian life "that was enough."

The ability to love & care for God & others has probably been my greatest gift from God. Loving my past husband & children brought me immense Joy & love in return. When I lost my husband six years ago my world collapsed.

It was at that point I put my complete trust in God. I found that when you do this you receive numerous WOW moments.

Knowing & having great respect for Father Tom, I joined St Francis & was welcomed with open arms by this wonderful parish. I decided to join the Church Dedication Committee. I had never experienced a dedication but I knew I could help wherever needed. After all I was at least trainable! That experience was incredible.  WOW!  The knowledge I gained & the friends I made would not have been possible in any other venue.

I then started attending daily mass, not every day, but as much as possible. This gave me much solace & grounding. Next I joined Centering Prayer, another new experience. So much of our daily lives are run by & governed by our head. Being in peace with God, one on one is amazing.  Now I am allowing God to transform my heart.  WOW!

I became a Eucharistic Minister & a Lector @ 5:00 pm mass. I had never done either of these services. I wanted to give back for the many gifts I had been given & this seemed an appropriate way that I could contribute.

A couple of years ago St Francis decided to have a reverse raffle & auction. Again, I joined the committee. Is it a gift to be a habitual joiner? I was the auctioneer for the evening.  Now there’s a gift a big mouth. The event was a great success & a tremendous endeavor by many parishioners.  WOW!

In the winter of 2005 a gentleman I had known for over 30yrs asked me to a UD basketball game. He was a good man & someone that thought I would enjoy spending time with.  He asked what I would be doing the next day. I told him that I didn’t have a morning appointment & was going to 8:30 mass. His response was: I’ll pick you up & go with you.  WOW!

We were appropriately married @ 8:30 mass the day after last Thanksgiving.  A love I thought I would never experience again came back to me ten fold.  WOW!

One thing I had always wanted to do was attend a Women’s retreat. Fortunately, that came to fruition this year. It was truly a heart opening experience.  WOW!  At one point we each shared a small glass heart with another woman. I carry that heart with me & pray for my counterpart often. On our dormitory doors was:  "Jesus loves me & he loves you too. You can’t understand it all, just believe it’s true & he’ll take away your old heart & give you one that’s new. You’ll feel the walls come down as his love comes shining through."

As I’ve gone through life I’ve found that the more I give of the gifts I have been given, the more I received in return.

I invite you to:
Open your hearts ---- Give of your gifts ---- See his love come shining through.
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Frank Leon

My name is Frank Leon and I am a member of the Man to Man Fellowship here at St. Francis. In the next few minutes, I would like to share with you three of the many blessings I have received and how these have affected my life.

The first, and most important, blessing is my relationship with our Lord. Every thing I am and everything I have comes out of that relationship.

My second most important blessing is my wife, Geri, our children, grandchildren, and now great grandchildren.

The third blessing is my career job. My job gave me the opportunity to live all over the United States and for three years in Canada. But I also had the opportunity to travel to many foreign countries to meet the people there and see first hand how they live and learn a bit about their culture.

I met many wonderful people and saw some extraordinary sights. But I also witnessed first hand, poverty I could never have imagined.

The affect of what I was witnessing was changing me. I began to adopt more of an attitude of wanting to be of service to others. I began to look for the Lord in everyone I met. And, I began to have a much deeper understanding of what it means to be a part of the body of Christ everywhere I went.

The stranger I met after Mass in Australia who invited me to his home for dinner was part of the body of Christ.

In China, a stranger who saw the small cross on my jacket lapel and then introduced himself as a fellow Christian - was part of the body of Christ.

On an airplane flight recently I sat next to a lady wearing a lace shawl on her head as she had recently lost all of her hair due to weeks of chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

Her major concern was not for herself, but to hurry home to take care of her husband and two other children because they are such a blessing to her. Another example of the body of Christ.

Two weeks ago we had a visiting priest from Nigeria speak at our monthly Fellowship meeting. He had previously come to the states to complete his education and then returned home to Nigeria.

His current assignment is as the Pastor of a Parish comprised of 10 remote villages (miles apart) out in the bush country.

Before the recent installation of a new well he had to go 7 miles away once a week to get safe drinking water. Despite all of the hardships he endures, he never complains.

He is truly a servant to all members of the Body of Christ he encounters.

My point in all of this is - that when we really stop and think about all of the blessings we have received and begin to look for the Lord in everyone we meet - our lives can take on a different perspective.

I know mine did.

The love that we receive from God moves us to service for others. Not for what we get out of it, but because we are moved to share and return what we have received.

It doesn’t take much to serve others. The small gesture of reaching out and taking the hand of someone sitting alone during the Our Father, or introducing yourself to someone new to our parish, or giving a smile to someone who looks like they are having a bad day, or getting something from the top shelf in a super market for a real short lady - is serving others.

It begins with our having an attitude of wanting to serve others that is so important.

In closing, let me share a saying I have found to be so very true...

"You cannot out-give God."

"The more you give to others, the more God gives to you."

Thank you
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Ashley Drummer

God’s gifts to me, I believe are energy, and an open mind. As many people have told me, I have an abundance of energy. Through this great amount of energy, I tend to make people smile and make the best out of situations. I will get the crowd pumped up when needed and be super excited when something good has happened. I am also always open to lend a helping hand no matter what the circumstances.

As well as energy, I also have an open mind. It allows me the ability to change. When I do not like something about myself and I have the choice to change it, I do. My viewpoint is don’t gripe when you have the capability to do something about it, and when you can’t adjust it, accept it and move on because there is no use complaining. All you are doing is wasting time and energy. However, I do not just stop at the ability to change, I accept change. Like I said, I have an open mind. Things are constantly changing around me that require me stay positive, look to the bright side, and not ignore it. Having an open mind also allows me to learn. I learn from my mistakes and other people’s mistakes. I also try my hardest to learn especially from the past where you can look back and see exactly what happened. You have a new point of view and a chance to study and discover how to change for the better.

These two gifts that God has given me make up part of who I am, just as he does. He calls me to use these gifts every day. Some specific times I have used them have been when I have gone on the high school youth group mission trips. So far, I have been on two. The first one was in the summer of 2006 when we traveled to Washington D.C. and the second one was this past summer with the group that traveled to Detroit, Michigan. Both times, I worked with young children. However, they were completely different from each other and required different ways for me to use my gifts. I am very excited to have the chance to use my gifts again this summer when we go to Glen Mary Farm in Kentucky. I have been told that it is an entirely different experience. I am looking forward to that, but until then, I will be using my gifts everyday in the best way I know how to.
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