MEET ST. ANDREW PARISHIONER CATHY MICHAELSON: Finding Opportunities to Serve and Grow in Faith

Chances are that if you’ve attended St. Andrew, you’ve met Cathy Michaelson. She’s been a parishioner since 1971 and has helped in many areas, from the youth group to funeral luncheons. Currently, Cathy is a member of St. Andrew’s Administrative Council and has been on the council several times in the past as well.

Cathy grew up in Sauk Centre, which is home to a lot of Catholics. So when she moved to Granite Falls, it was a bit of an adjustment.

“I remember people being really surprised when I told them I was Catholic,” Cathy says. “It was never hard to be Catholic in Sauk Centre. A lot of people around me were Catholic.”

Cathy and her husband, Paul, have two children, Tony and Katie. Cathy taught elementary school in Granite Falls for 44 years. She initially retired after 35 years and returned to working for nine more. She used that passion and love for teaching to teach Confirmation and Faith Formation classes for many years. She also led the Faith Formation Christmas program for several years.

Cathy can now be found helping out at funeral luncheons when asked or serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. In addition, she occasionally leads the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross during Lent, recognizing that it’s hard for Fr. Paul Timmerman to cover all these things at every church.

“It reminds me of the John F. Kennedy quote, ‘Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country,’” she says. “That’s the same we should do for our church.”

Cathy believes parishioners need to do more than simply show up on Sunday.

“If you don’t get involved, you are missing out on an opportunity to get to know people,” she says. “Yes, we are a small church, but you may be surprised who you get to know and like.”

Of all the ministries in which Cathy has been involved, the most rewarding has been Confirmation because she now sees the kids she taught all those years ago at Mass as adults, sometimes with their own families. In turn, Cathy feels she gets a lot from seeing other people practice their faith.

“Seeing others helps me stay focused on my faith,” she says. “It makes you feel more a part of something.”

In her free time, Cathy loves to be at the lake. She also enjoys gardening, cooking, baking, and doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles.