July 2023

     I am a cradle Catholic, raised by my mother, a devoted Catholic, and my Daddy, a convert to Catholicism. I was also influenced by a devout Catholic grandmother and great-aunt. They were people who were generous with their time and individual talents. So, you might say volunteering/serving is in my DNA. I’ve always done some sort of volunteer work, but my vocation to lay ministry began when my life changed drastically.

     Fast-forward to 2014. My husband of close to 48 years passed away of Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus (esophageal cancer). For the next several months I prayed “Lord, what now?” Our three children were grown and married with children of their own. Although they were attentive and supportive, they didn’t really need me all that much. I had retired from the job I had held for over 34 years to be with Harold during his illness. When he passed away in May of 2014, I was left with an emptiness that is difficult to describe. What was I to do now that there was no one to care for?

     Over the years I had attended daily Mass regularly. During my working years it was early morning Mass, but now I could attend 9:00 Mass in my own parish. After the first few months I began helping the ladies clean the church and eventually joined the St. Catherine Rosary Altar Society. One day one of the ladies asked if I could help with a funeral. (She was the person to get the church ready for a funeral but was going to be out of town.) That was four months after my husband’s passing. I didn’t have a clue how to go about the task. Although I had been present for all the details of Harold’s funeral I was in a fog and had no idea what was required. After showing me what was needed and explaining that since I had just been through it and “seemed like a patient person” she thought I could handle it. So, I agreed.

     The experience was an eye-opening blessing. I could relate to the family members and I could feel their sorrow and bewildermen---they too were in a fog. After the funeral I told Fr. Ronnie (Calkins) that I wouldn’t mind helping with a funeral again.

     A month later at an altar society general meeting, after thanking the ladies for cleaning the church and always keeping it so beautiful, Fr. Ronnie said “And I want to thank Becky Steppe for volunteering to organize a Bereavement Ministry”. Wait! What? My jaw literally dropped. I told the lady sitting across from me “I said I wouldn’t mind helping”. She told me “That might be what you said, but that’s not what he heard”.

     For the rest of the meeting my mind was in a whirl. All I could think was “How can I do this? I don’t know how to do this!” And then the ah-ha moment! The light bulb came on. This was the answer to my prayers of the last several months. It’s what I had been asking for. God told me through Fr. Ronnie’s mouth what He wanted me to do.

     The Bereavement Ministry is a most worthwhile ministry. I always knew I was put on
this earth to serve others. In accepting the role of Coordinator of the Bereavement
Ministry my vocation has been realized. The first Beatitude is “Blessed are those who
mourn for they shall be comforted” (Matthew5:4). My calling to serve others is to comfort those who mourn. To be with these families who are experiencing one of the worst days of their lives and to be able to give them some bit of comfort and let them know that we are here to walk with them is a blessing for us too. I am blessed to have recognized my calling. We must always be open to what Our
Lord’s plan for us may be. I never saw myself in this role and I certainly didn’t know I
could ever do this, but as Fr. Tim said in a recent homily “God doesn’t call the qualified,
He qualifies the called”. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can become qualified.

     The mission of the Bereavement Ministry can be found in the St. Catherine booklet
entitled Get Involved (page 6). We welcome all those who have compassionate hearts and are willing to spend a small part of a day assisting families who are grieving. Our work takes place only on the day of the funeral and team members, when available, can choose how they give of themselves and their time: helping set up before the family arrives; remaining in church for the visitation and Funeral Mass if they so choose; returning to put the church back in order after everyone has left.

     There are so many wonderful ministries in our parish. Whatever ministry is a proper fit for you we pray: Dear Lord, may the work I do today be for Your honor and glory and no recognition of my own. Amen.