took and mixed in with three measures of flour until
all of it was leavened." Matthew 13:33
From the June/July 2007 Issue
True Heroes of the Church
Ellen Belle
Ellen Belle is a physical therapist and chair of the Leaven Advisory Board.
If there is one spirit that comes to mind when I walk into the church, it’s Barney. Barney Thilges had knees that bowed to the side, a gruff voice with a quick speech, an unending smile and a vivacious spirit. Long before it was fashionable for the parish priest to greet folks after Sunday liturgy, Barney was there as usher, handing out bulletins, shaking hands and wishing everyone a good week. Barney lived just a quarter mile down the road from us in Iowa farm country and was a man all about “making gentle the life of the church.” He was always a quiet, central fixture of the church, gathering people and helping them feel welcome. Barney knew everyone and called you by name when you were home from college or far off places. Pastors come and go, but people like Barney are there, serving even when his knees were arthritic and could hardly hold him up. He’s gone now and I miss that face when I travel back to Iowa.
Jesse Martin is the flower lady at St. Elizabeth’s in Denver. She shares her marvelous flower garden with the community week after week, gracing the sanctuary with beauty. Ah…how we need beauty in coming together to celebrate God—who is beauty. Jesse never wanted to be acknowledged publicly though from time to time, the community did just that. What a grand gift are flowers, the fruit of long hours of planting, pruning, weeding, selection and arranging.
Dolores Bachard is a woman in quiet control of the situation—whatever it may be. At St. Elizabeth’s she is known as the super sacristan who can prepare for any event, foresee a glitch before it happens, and the one who gracefully fills in the needed item at the last minute. I have come to appreciate that sacristans’ jobs are tough. Circling through the sacristy before liturgy I’ve witnessed the anxiety over a new service, the unfamiliarity of a visiting presider, or the unending string of people who just must see Father before the celebration begins. Dolores always worked calmly, spreading her tranquility to the gathering about her.
In my current community Kate and Leon Krier are the ones making sure there is coffee on Sunday mornings, bringing the plates, napkins and cups. They also are the resting place for the song sheets, books containing liturgy and numerous other items. While everyone contributes, Kate and Leon have taken on the default position, serving the community as needed. This unknown job is often more taken for granted than the known, delineated community responsibilities.
Undoubtedly, you will think of the people in your life who “make gentle the life of the church.” I find them mostly in the servant people who are committed to doing their little piece to make the church community tick along. Often they go unnoticed, blending in so comfortably with the community. Yet these very unsung heroes make it all work, for what is community but a gathering of folk with common purpose, common caring and common belief? Community is quite a feat wherever and whenever it happens. Often we look to the leaders, those out front in the midst of the action. Yet, it is the little things that make a church gathering a community gathering; it’s Barney’s warm smile of welcome, Jesse’s flowers, Dolores’s preparation of everything sacred and Kate and Leon’s gracious presence.
Thank God for each of them! Take a moment to think of your communities’ unsung heroes and give them a hug and thanks next time you see them.