MEET ST. FRANCIS DE SALES PARISHIONERS PAUL AND CHRISTINA ROONEY

It can be easy to miss the true beauty of raising a family in the community where you grew up. Paul Rooney grew up in Brooten, but he doesn’t miss the chance to realize how much he loves and appreciates the community. “I wouldn’t really want to live anywhere else,” he says. His wife, Christina, shares that same sentiment. The Rooneys have been members of the parish for 22 years. They raised their four children here and are proud of their children and their four grandchildren.

Paul and Christina happily give their time to St. Francis de Sales. Christina prays the Rosary before Mass, which is her favorite way to give of her time. She doesn’t get nervous leading in front of others before Mass.

“It’s one of my calmer times,” she says. “I love praying the Rosary.”

She also serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, along with Paul, and serves as a money counter.

Paul brings his experience as a teacher to the parish, using that talent as a Confirmation catechist. He’s been serving in this capacity for nearly 20 years.

“I’d say teaching Confirmation is the most rewarding and the most challenging,” Paul says. “I do a lot of preparing. I want to make sure I am teaching the right thing.”

He believes that he’s learned more than the students over the years. Teaching Confirmation has proven to be a valuable way for him to grow in faith.

“It’s pretty simple to me,” Paul says. “Heaven is all that matters in the end. We are trying to help each other get to heaven.”

Paul also serves as a lector and a trustee and fills in as a sacristan. “Any way I can serve is a good thing,” Paul says. The Rooneys also serve their parish because it’s practical. Helping out keeps the church going and paves the way for the next generation at St. Francis de Sales.

“I look at it this way — we are blessed, and the least we can do is give back,” Christina says.

Professionally, Paul is a rural mail carrier, and Christina is a pharmacist. In their free time, they enjoy being active outdoors. In addition, Paul likes to do woodwork, and Christina enjoys sewing. She also tries to pray a Rosary each day.

“Praying the Rosary before Mass is such an honor,” she says. “You are there in the presence of God, and it’s so calming.”

Paul and Christina Rooney happily give their time to St. Francis de Sales, and have belonged to the parish for 22 years.