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PARISH BOOKKEEPER
Melissa DeLaO (center) celebrates after receiving the Sacraments of Initiation in the Catholic Church. With Melissa are her husband and RCIA sponsor, Raul (left) and Faith Formation Director Mary Harden.
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eflecting on the two years that have passed since she first came to work in our parish office, Melissa DeLaO feels tremendous gratitude for the path that led her here to St. Philip Neri. Little did she know when she applied for the position of parish bookkeeper just how much her life would change from that moment. Not only is Melissa thoroughly enjoying her work in the
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parish, but she is also celebrating her recent entry into the Catholic Church! Melissa was raised in the Baptist church and baptized into that faith at the age of 8. Early in her adult years, however, she found herself drawn to the Catholic Church, though she could never fully explain why she felt such a connection to Catholicism. Then, just over two years ago, Melissa heard that the bookkeeper position at St. Philip Neri was open. “I was in an accounting job that I wasn’t really unhappy with, but I was praying about it,” Melissa says. “I was asking, ‘God, where do you want me? What is my direction?’ The next thing I knew, there was an opening in this church. “The job here started my faith journey,” she adds. “For years, I had prayed and wondered how I could learn more about the Catholic Church, and this was my answer. So I jumped in and learned the business side of the church and, at the same time, was able to work with and get to know this really great group of women here in the office.” Inspired by the wonderful examples of faith provided by her co-workers, Melissa got to know more about the Church. When Faith Formation Director Mary Harden let her know that a new session of RCIA — Rite of Christian continued on page 5
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I feel like I’m more grounded as a person and feel more confident in my relationship with God. It runs so deep. I’m just always striving to have that close relationship with God, do His will, and try to be the best person I can be.
Melissa DeLaO
