Meet Jessica Minette, St. Alexius’ New Secretary: From the Pew to the Office

There’s something beautiful that happens when you make the transition from sitting in your pew every Sunday, to getting a little more involved and going behind the scenes of what makes a parish what it is. For many, that shift takes place as they get involved as a volunteer, and for a few, it happens when they become part of the parish staff.

Last year, St. Alexius parishioner Jessica Minette took a position as the secretary, and what a first year it has been! Initially unsure whether she was ready to go back to work when Jessica saw the open position at St. Alexius, she knew it was what she was looking for.

“I thought and prayed about it,” she says. “I just kept feeling drawn to it, so I gave it a shot.

“I started in March,” she adds, with a smile. “The opportunity was there, and I thought ‘I’ll jump into it,’ and then quarantine started!”

Jessica originally joined St. Alexius upon marrying her husband, Marcus, a farmer and longtime parishioner. The unlikely couple met on a blind date to the movies, orchestrated by their sisters. And the rest, as they say, is history. The couple now has four children, ranging in age from 3 to 10, and they farm corn, beans, and beef.

Although their children have attended Holy Family School, this year, they decided to homeschool and spend more time enjoying life on the farm. In the midst of a strange year, they’ve also had the opportunity to grow in feeling more connected and engaged in the life of the parish through Jessica’s job.

“It’s fun that even though I’m working, I can still be a mom at the same time,” Jessica says. “They come along with me to do the bulletins, they come along with me to do the mail, and when I set up for Mass. My littlest, she’s getting so comfortable in the church.”

For Jessica, taking the position was an eye-opening experience of realizing all the moving parts that come together within the parish community. From everything in the office, to all the ministries and ways that people serve — funerals, cleaning and decorating the church, the Christian Mothers group, St. Joseph Society, Faith Formation and youth group — she has loved seeing how it all comes together.

“Seeing everything that happens behind the scenes — before, I was just a mom in the pew — now that the curtain has been pulled, I see everything that goes on to get Mass going,” she says. “That has been a humbling experience for me, to see all that is done.

“We have so many great groups,” she adds. “We’re looking forward for some normalcy to come back.”

Jessica hopes that, in her role as secretary, she’ll be able to provide a welcoming presence, while also getting to know more of her fellow parishioners and assisting people in whatever ways they need. In particular, she encourages other young families to prioritize their faith, even when it’s challenging.

“Sometimes it’s exhausting going to church with kids and you wonder, ‘Why do we do this?’” she says. “We have so many beautiful, young families! Stick it through. Just keep going.”

Thank you, Jessica, for your service to our parish! We look forward to getting to know you more, as you serve the community at St. Alexius and beyond. We also extend our special thanks to retired secretary Barb Bentfield, who has faithfully and generously helped Jessica in the transition to her new role.

Jessica Minette and her husband, Marcus, and their children Olen (10), Clare (8), Levi (5), and Nora (3). Jessica has enjoyed the past year of working as the parish secretary at St. Alexius.