Corpus Christi Welcomes New Parish Staff Member Rebecca Poncini and Family

The 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 Rebecca that God has had His hand in it all. Shortly after Rebecca found a position here at Corpus Christi, her husband, Ray, was hired as a resource teacher at St. Albert High School. And less than a month before the Poncinis arrived in town, Rebecca’s sister and her family had relocated from California to Lincoln. With their new jobs in a Catholic parish and school and family nearby, Rebecca and Ray have certainly seen the Lord at work in their lives here!

As our new Director of Music, Faith Formation and Youth Ministry, Rebecca hit the ground running when she arrived in November. She brings over 20 years of experience in music ministry, 10 years in youth ministry and five years in faith formation to her role. On any given day, she can likely be found in the parish office, going over music selections and projections for the upcoming Masses or ensuring that faith formation materials are prepped and ready to go.

Rebecca finds joy in each of the three “hats” she wears at Corpus Christi.

“With music ministry, I love how you can weave the music in with the sacraments, so Easter Vigil, First Communion and Confirmation are some of my favorites,” she says. “With faith formation, I think the most important thing is looking out for the whole family, seeing how you can reach the parents and how that translates into helping them form kids in the faith.

“Then with youth ministry, my goal is for them to realize that living the faith is bigger than a catechism class,” Rebecca adds. “It’s a normal part of your life and who you are. I like them to know that everybody has talents that are from God, they are all different, and He is going to use your talents in you.”

Rebecca and Ray know firsthand what a difference early faith formation can make in one’s life. Both feel blessed to have been raised in strong Catholic families, and are committed to providing the same foundation for their own children.

“I think if you stay close to the faith and close to the Church, it permeates everything,” Rebecca says. “It shapes who you are as a person, how you work, how you interact with others, and how you look at life.”

As she continues to settle in here at Corpus Christi, Rebecca is thankful for both the opportunity to serve our parish and the countless blessings her family has found in their move to our area.

“The people are very welcoming and the people I’ve met in the parish are very gracious,” she says. “Mass is lovely here, and I’m glad to be a part of that. We’re excited to be here and excited to see where God takes us now that we’re here.”

New parish staff member Rebecca Poncini (far right) with her husband, Ray (far left), and their nine children.