Parish Bookkeeper Melissa DelaO Reflects On Her First Year As A Catholic

Reflecting 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 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 Initiation of Adults — was about to begin, Melissa didn’t hesitate one bit before signing up for the program!

“RCIA was very enlightening,” Melissa says of the experience. “There is a lot more to Catholicism than I had thought. There is more in common with the Baptist faith than I realized — of course, they are both Christian religions — and there is also so much history. There is a lot to know, and still so much more to learn.”

Melissa’s husband, Raul, served as her RCIA sponsor. A “cradle Catholic,” Raul discovered that he was also learning a lot about the Church that he had either forgotten or never learned as a child growing up in the faith. Melissa also enjoyed sharing things she learned in RCIA with the other women in the parish office each week. In many ways, she felt as if she, Raul, and her co-workers were all learning and growing together.

Now, over a year after receiving the Sacraments of Initiation in the Catholic Church, Melissa still considers the women she works with to be her mentors in the faith. She is thankful that the office staff begins each day with a prayer and even finds herself saying quick prayers throughout the day — quiet moments in the midst of a busy schedule of checking bank accounts, posting deposits, running payroll, and preparing letters and tax forms.

No matter how busy parish life might get, our staff always makes stewardship a priority, caring for the people and property of St. Philip Neri in any way they can.

“It’s been wonderful,” Melissa says of working in the parish office. “There is a really close connection with everyone. And they always have that service attitude of just wanting to help everyone. Of course, if we see a piece of trash on the ground or a weed that needs pulling, we’re always doing little things like that as well.”

Blessings have abounded for Melissa since she first came to work in our parish and then decided to join the Church. She counts the two times she has had the opportunity to meet Bishop Guglielmone — once for the Rite of Election Mass for RCIA candidates, and once when he blessed our columbarium on All Souls’ Day — among these special blessings and memories.

Moving forward in faith, Melissa is thrilled to be serving as our parish bookkeeper and plans on getting even more involved in parish life by helping with the St. Philip Neri Safety Team. Thankful for God’s guidance and the providential path that brought her here, Melissa hopes to continue learning and growing in the faith for many years to come!

“On a personal level, I just feel more peaceful and calm now,” she says. “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 greatly enjoyed the two opportunities she has had to meet with Bishop Guglielmone.

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.