Corpus Christi Catholic Parish
Corpus Christi Welcomes New Parish Staff Member
Rebecca Poncini and Family T
he year 2020 brought many changes for all of us, though perhaps few saw their lives change quite as quickly and dramatically as our new Director of Music, Faith Formation and Youth Ministry, Rebecca Poncini. After deciding in the fall to move their family of 11 from California to the Midwest, Rebecca and her husband, Ray, applied for jobs here in October. By Nov. 12, they and their nine children — ranging in age from 10 months to 16 years — had made the move to Council Bluffs. On Nov. 16, Rebecca spent her first day in the parish office! Some of the transitions the Poncinis experienced during their first weeks in Iowa — like the difference in temperature between Sacramento and Council Bluffs — took a little getting used to, as Rebecca quickly learned that what had been considered a winter coat by California standards would certainly
not be adequate here! Wintry weather aside, the Poncinis immediately felt blessed to have made the move to our area, where they are thankful for the beautiful natural setting, the absence of traffic, a slower pace of life, and the genuine hospitality of everyone they meet. “I don’t think people understand how different life is in the Midwest,” Rebecca says. “It’s odd to us that people in the gas stations make eye contact and have conversations with us. In a good way, everything is a little slower here. It’s amazing to drive on the freeway and see nature. In Sacramento, there were a lot of little stressors and everything was so over the top. There is a calmer nature to how life is done here.” Reflecting on how many pieces of the puzzle fell into place for the Poncinis last fall, it is clear to continued on page 6
New parish staff member Rebecca Poncini (far right) with her husband, Ray (far left), and their nine children.
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