2 minute read
The Tuesday Morning Maintenance Crew Cares for God’s House
If you own a home, you know the work that goes into maintaining it. Whether small upkeep or large repair projects, it seems there’s always something that needs a little extra time and attention. And when you’re not caught up working on those projects, there’s almost always something that could use an update.
The maintenance of our parish home and school is no different. Our physical grounds require near-constant attention and care to keep in working condition, as well as to create a beautiful and peaceful space for our community to worship and our students to learn. Each Tuesday morning, a dedicated group of volunteers gathers to ensure that happens.
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“We go in on Tuesday morning, we meet about 9 a.m., drink coffee, and we go to Kelley, in the office, and see what she’s got on the schedule,” says parishioner Flavien Elpers, who coordinates the volunteer crew.
The volunteers help with whatever needs to be done, from trimming bushes and painting, to moving furniture and changing lightbulbs. They don’t work on the boiler, heating, or cooling, but beyond that, if it has to do with maintenance at the parish or school, they likely have a hand in it.
“We do a little bit of everything,” Flavien says. “Whatever is on the list, we have no problem doing.”
Flavien enjoys using his skills and experience to serve the parish in a behind-the-scenes role.
“It’s just sort of me — I’m a country boy and I like working with my hands," he says. "The other stuff just isn’t me. I’m a worker, and that’s what I want to do, so this role fits me better than anything.
“I did maintenance and field service work for the company I worked for and I learned a lot through them,” he adds. “The other stuff we just try it, see if it works, or try something else.”
For Flavien, becoming involved in the parish through service has given him a chance to get to know his fellow parishioners and become more invested in the parish community.
“There’s a big change, in that you feel like you’re part of the Church,” Flavien says. “Otherwise, you just go to church and you put your donation in and walk out of church and you leave. But now, I feel like I’m part owner in it, involved in it.
“You meet people,” he adds. “I’ve met a lot of other people and they’re just great people, good to work with. I look forward to every Tuesday — we joke and cut up the whole time.”
Flavien encourages other parishioners to consider becoming involved in the parish, as part of the Tuesday Morning Maintenance Crew.
“Anybody can come — you don’t have to have certain skills,” Flavien says. “I think you need to get involved in your church to feel like you’re part of it. If you get involved, you understand more of what’s going on.
“But if you don’t want to get your hands dirty, you don’t want to join the Tuesday crew — because you’ll get your hands dirty!” he says with a smile.
Each week, members of our Tuesday Morning Maintenance Crew help our community with a variety of maintenance projects.
