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Duo does it all at St. Mary's Combining their passion for serving their parish with expressing their faith in tangible ways, two women from St. Mary's Church in Clinton Heights are helping others realize their own call to ministry. With "Called to be Church" in full swing, Carol Tenzyk and Pat Rizzo are realizing new ways in which they can serve God's people. Mrs. Tenzyk, a parishioner for more than 30 years, serves as liturgical coordinator. Her duties include training altar servers, lectors and extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist. She is also a member of the liturgy committee and parish council. Mrs. Rizzo, a member of St. Mary's for nine years, has coordinated the ministry of baptismal preparation for parents and designed a Liturgy of the Word for children. Passion for parish "I have a real passion for this community. I can get others involved, and I am able to recognize the gifts that people have," Mrs. Tenzyk told The Evangelist. Part of her job is to invite parishioners into ministry whenever she sees their gifts and skills. "Often, when there is an immediate need," she said, "I usually just ask people for their help. They are usually happy to rise to the challenge." Mrs. Rizzo, the parish's office manager, concurred: "When others see volunteers in ministry, they will often get involved as well." Updating self Both women believe that, in order to empower other parishioners, they must continue to learn about and stay energized in their own faith. When Mrs. Rizzo first joined St. Mary's, she brought experience in sacramental preparation and a background in faith formation. She has also audited courses at St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry in Albany. She said the courses gave her a renewed sense of commitment to parish work and involvement in ministry. Mass time As liturgical coordinator, Mrs. Tenzyk attends every Mass every weekend. She considers the time spent an important aspect of her role. "It may seem like a lot of time" at church, she said, "but I get something different out of each and every liturgy. I do this because I want to be available for the ministers who often see me only at the liturgies. I also get a certain amount of joy in being present for people here. It lets them know who I am, and I want to get to know them, too." Both ministers said they consider what they do to be God's work. "It is just day-to-day work but done in the spirit of commitment to and a love for this community," noted Mrs. Rizzo. (Carol Tenzyk is a graduate of the Albany diocesan Formation for Ministry program, and certified as a designated minister of liturgy through St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry in Albany.) (9/6/07) |