MEET STS. PETER AND PAUL PARISHIONERS ALLAN AND ANGIE GREGORY

Angie Gregory has been a Sts. Peter and Paul parishioner since her Baptism. She’s celebrated all her sacraments here, and the couple’s three children — Samantha, Katie, and Claire — were baptized here. To say it’s a special place to Angie would be an understatement. She has so many memories of her life in the church.

The Gregory family makes sure they find many ways to serve. Each year, they gather with others to help decorate for Christmas and Easter. Allan isn’t afraid to climb a ladder to make the church look beautiful. He has also fixed various things in the parish and builds needed items. Samantha and Katie, both 13, are altar servers, and Katie serves as a lector. Angie serves as secretary of the Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW).

“I love the charitable giving that we do,” Angie says. “It’s a fun group of ladies, and I enjoy spending time with them.” Angie has also taught religion classes over the past few years. “I do it for Jesus,” she says. “I know it’s a simple answer, but it’s my way of serving the Lord. It’s also a good way to learn more about him.”

Allan and Angie and their girls love attending Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. It’s very much home for them and, as Angie says, the “backbone” of their faith.

“It’s a small-knit community, and we like that the church is close to home,” Angie says. “I like that I can sit in peace and quiet, and it’s such a beautiful church.”

Angie and Allan have learned to lean on their faith in difficult times. Their third daughter, 11-year-old Claire, has cerebral palsy and a rare chromosome deletion. When Claire was born, she spent a long time in the hospital.

“I remember someone called and asked if they could put Claire on the prayer chain,” Angie says. “Living in a small community, people are always there to help, and it’s a great feeling.”

When Claire got the news of her diagnosis, doctors told Allan and Angie that she would never walk or talk. During this time, the Gregorys clung to their faith and leaned on the Lord.

“This journey has helped us accept that God’s greatest blessings and life lessons often come through our hardships and challenges,” Angie says.

Allan works as an Energy Service Lead at Stearns Electric, and Angie works for Mick Quinn State Farm in Willmar. Besides being involved at church, the family also enjoys serving others by delivering May Day baskets and visiting the elderly when they have a chance.

“We want to leave the world a better place,” Angie says.

The Gregory family makes sure they find many ways to serve their parish of Sts. Peter and Paul.