Nothing much to report here: just a long week at St. Mary’s as we bid adieu to Elaine Stanislawski who has worked here for 32+ years! And I do have to get you results for America the Beautiful photo contest!
So today I will thank the parishioner who invited me to join him for a day of off-road Jeeping! It was great to take a day away from the office, and I only spent some of the day, typing notes for a meeting on my phone! We went in with a group of Jeep enthusiasts up into the mountains near Harrisonburg and took a trail with some rock obstacles too big for ‘regular’ cars. Often picking the most ‘spicy’ lines to drive over rock obstacles!
It had me dreaming of buying a Jeep, until I recalled that it is way, way better to just ride with the parishioners who already have the cars and knowledge! I greatly enjoyed the glorious fall Virginia day! I think we really appreciate perfect weather here, because we don’t often get it!
So I will share with you a few pix, just for fun, and hope that you too can spend time with family and friends.
It is a sign of maturity that one comes to realize how hard one’s parents worked and sacrificed to give their children a happy family life. And yes, it can be a source of wounding to see where they fell short. I remember marveling, as I grew up, at how much preparation and sacrifice went even into our family week at the beach!
But I also sometimes say that the average parishioner has no idea how hard the staff of this parish works. Like our parents, it is taken for granted until folks want something immediately. I say this to encourage you to pause and be grateful for the amazing generous staff that serves you in this parish. Our staff is marked by generous flexibility in trying to solve problems and help one another to make this parish a welcoming, faithful home.
And now this week, after 30 years, Elaine Stanislawski is retiring. Since my arrival, I have prayed that she could continue to serve as bookkeeper, budget analyst, Mass intention reconciler, payroll specialist, HR certifier, collection reviewer, electronic giving problem solver, and I could go on and on. She will be greatly missed and the work that she has done will take several people to keep moving!
Please thank her and say a prayer for her in retirement. She has stored up a treasure in heaven, working beyond the call of duty. For Elaine it was never an obligation of duty, but a service of love for the Lord and His church. Thank you Elaine, you will be greatly missed. And if you see staff crying this week, you now know why.
Peter Lilly came onto staff this summer as the new Business Manager, and learning by sitting at Elaine’s side to keep this parish moving and thriving! I am confident that he will be able to continue the generous and detailed service that we have come to presume from our Staff!
Also, Elena Doyle is reducing her hours. She has served as my executive assistant, outreach director, bulletin content editor, community liaison, and again I could go on and on. Given that her brother is a priest (and now bishop), she was particularly well disposed to work with me in a way that has made this parish feel like family. She is not going away (yet), but I want to thank her as she hands off some of her duties.
And Maryanne Harring also came onto staff this summer is taking up the mantle of some of those duties, while also providing transition and support to Peter Lilly. She is very capable, and brings a wealth of HR and administrative experience.
Welcome to the St. Mary’s team Peter and Maryanne! We have had the luxury of onboarding both of them and learning their skillset. I am confident in the ability of all of our staff to generously serve the life and ministry of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception!
