Volunteer Now
Rosemary’s and Joe’s faith drives their service. “I encountered Christ in a way that changed me, and I want to be that for someone else,” says Rosemary. “I want to be part of their journey and their change. I want them to know who loves them the most in the world.”
Liliana Palermo has been volunteering at Cross Step for about three years because, as she says, “It is better to give than to receive,” adding, “Given the love and support we all receive from God and the Church, giving that love back is just as important as what we get from it.” That’s a profound understanding of what we are all called to do in service to others and in adherence to our faith by this Leesville Road High School Junior.
Dave Payne, a leader in the St. Francis Knights of Columbus, doesn’t mince words: “It is my faith that drives all aspects of my life. From my family, my marriage, my work in the community, and my relationships with those I meet, my faith kicks me in the britches to do what I can for those I am privileged to serve.”
Jeremy Roca is a presence at Mass; gregarious and full of life, Jeremy has a smile and warm welcome for everyone at Mass. He models that behavior because that’s the advice he would give our new parishioners as they come into our parish.
One of the ministries that Bernie McShane belongs to is Stephen Ministry. This one-on-one ministry works with the individual to resolve the issue they are dealing with. She loves this ministry because you watch a person grow and reach the point where they need to be. “You are a motivator for them,” she says, “which is why one of my Care Receivers called me the ‘gentle nudger.’”
“The song ‘This Little Light of Mine’ states not to ‘hide your light under a bushel but let it shine’…can you tell I love music?” So says Marianne Norris, one of St. Francis’ very active volunteers. She has consistently ‘let her light shine’ in our parish’s ministries and is active in, to name a few, several of the choirs, the Allies for Justice and Peace, the Immigration Core Team, and the Educational Core Team with Justice and Peace.
Donna and Chuck Lally have been fixtures at Masses at St. Francis, especially during the Sunday 5:30 PM services.
Described as “one of our most committed and reliable volunteers, someone who never hesitates to step forward to assist with Justice and Peace efforts,” Emma Dempsey is a force to be reckoned with. A parishioner at St. Francis since 1993, Emma has been a prolific volunteer, “I’ve gone through everything,” she says with a smile. On the Parish Council for three years, working in Faith Formation when her children were enrolled, involved in the Women’s Network back in 1998, and time spent volunteering with ‘Social Concerns,’ which became what is now the ‘Justice and Peace ministries’ at St. Francis, her time was full. At one point, she had 18 different ‘Advocacy Ministries’ under her in ‘Social Concerns’. Still, that was not enough; she also started working with a medical mission to her home, the Philippines, outside of the parish ministry envelope, supported by the Diocese of Raleigh and Msgr. Jerry Lewis in 2001, and she has been a leader in that effort since 2003. Now, she organizes missions with dozens of volunteers going to the Philippines annually.
Parishioners since 1987, Paul and Marianne Williams have seen a lot at St. Francis. Even before they came to St. Francis, they remembered being inspired by those in the Quaker community in Middlesex, NJ, where they lived. “They showed us a lot about service to the poor and vulnerable. It was very inspiring, and their example got us inspired to live out the gospel by working for justice and caring for the less fortunate,” says Paul.
“Faith calls me to serve my neighbors in need and recognize the gifts God has given me,” says Sarah Hoffman, adding, “St. Francis offers many opportunities to do that with a commitment to community and family, and I embrace that whole-heartedly by including my family in acts of service with other parishioners.” Family is essential to Sarah and her husband, David. Their three boys have always been included in their ministry volunteering because it defines, as she says, what our calling is as Catholic Christians.
