By: Robert Spirito
Office of Stewardship & Development
 |
A Confederate soldier laid dead on a battlefield, a victim of a bloody Civil War. A prayer, written in the form of a poem, was recovered from his pocket. It reads, “I asked for health, that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity, that I might do better things. I asked for riches, that I might be happy; I was given poverty, that I might be wise. I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life; I was given life, that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing I asked for, but everything I hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am among all men most richly blessed.”
Parishioners at Saint Bartholomew Parish in Providence, Douglas and Sandra Weinzierl have been richly blessed. When they wake up every morning, they say, “Thank you Lord for another day.” When they feel well enough to carry on the day’s activities, they say, “Thank you Lord for our health.” When they see their parents, their blended family of four children between the ages of 24 and 30, their three grandchildren, their family and friends, they say, “Thank you Lord for the good people that surround us.” Recognizing their many blessings, Doug and Sandra respond as grateful stewards by sharing their God-given gifts with others.
In 2002, Rev. Alfred P. Almonte, pastor of Saint Bartholomew Parish, sought the help of this couple in forming a Stewardship Committee at the parish. Married for six years, they recall, “We only knew that stewardship had something to do with sharing our time, talent, and treasure.” Working long hours as District Managers for H & R Block and leading over 1,000 employees in 70 offices throughout Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, they thought that sharing their treasure might be the easiest of the three. “Besides questioning whether we have any talents to share, we also wondered how we would ever find the time given our already hectic schedule,” they said.
As Co-chairs of the Stewardship Committee, they were responsible for planning and organizing the parish’s first Ministry Fair held in April of 2003. A Ministry Fair is a celebration of the parish community that provides parishioners with a wonderful opportunity to see how they can share their unique gifts of time and talent within a particular ministry. In her lay witness presentation on Stewardship Weekend, Sandra reminded her fellow parishioners that, “Saint Bartholomew Parish belongs to you, and the strength and vibrancy of this parish depends on the enthusiastic participation of as many parishioners as possible.”
Besides their parish involvement as lectors and Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion, the couple has also offered their services as members of the Saint Bartholomew Feast Committee since 1999. The annual feast, held during the last week in August, draws thousands of visitors from the Silver Lake neighborhood and surrounding community. Spending an average of six hours a day at the four-day festival, they lend a helping hand by serving guests who visit the popular Beer Garden.
Members of the Liturgy Committee since 2002, the Weinzierls work alongside the pastor and other parishioners to assist in preparing special Masses held during the liturgical year. Meeting quarterly, the committee selects appropriate hymns and readings for feasts and holy days such as Corpus Christi, All Souls Day, Easter Vigil, and midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. As a way of encouraging the congregation to participate in these very important parish celebrations, Doug designs program booklets on his desktop computer at home using many different decorative fonts and colorful clip art. He has also been a member of the parish’s Holy Name Society since 1999, meeting monthly to discuss preparations for various parish fundraising efforts.
Established in 1907, Saint Bartholomew Parish will celebrate their 99th Anniversary in April. Beginning each January, Doug, Sandra, and other members of the Parish Reunion Committee meet every six weeks to plan and organize festivities for the annual dinner dance. For seven years, they have offered their time, along with other committee members, by gaining commitments from sponsors of the commemorative ad book, selecting menu items, and selling raffle and dinner tickets. In 2001, their pastor at the time, Rev. Joseph F. Pranzo, asked the couple to serve as co-chairs, a responsibility that required them to assume the role as Masters of Ceremony at the parish reunion dinner.
Last year, Sister Rita Petrarca, Pastoral Assistant at Saint Bartholomew Parish, asked Sandra to serve on the newly established Pastoral Council which is comprised of 26 parishioners who meet monthly. As chairperson, her first order of business was to create a parish activities calendar so parishioners may be informed about upcoming parish events and celebrations. Doug, a Certified Financial Planner, has also been an active member of the Finance Council for four years. He states, “It means so much to me that I am involved, doing my part as a member of my extended family here at Saint Bartholomew Parish.”
During the Jubilee Year in 2000, the couple was instrumental in planning and organizing a two-week parish trip to Italy. Two years ago, they eagerly came forward to join another parish ministry that leads parishioners in praying the rosary prior to the 5:00pm Mass on Saturday. During the summer of 2001, they were asked by Deacon Robert Gallo to serve as a liaison to the growing Spanish community at Saint Bartholomew Parish. Accompanied by Rev. Camilo Cardenas on hundreds of door-to-door visits, Doug and Sandra helped to spread the word to parishioners about various parish ministries as well as the new 10:00am Spanish Mass celebrated on Sunday morning.
Capable, faith-filled, and dedicated are just a few of the words Father Almonte uses to describe these parishioners who, according to the pastor, “are always there to help in any way they can for the good of the Church.” Doug and Sandra Weinzierl are grateful for their giftedness and continually look for additional ways to become more connected with other members of their spiritual family. Instilled in them by their loving parents, Arthur and the late Jeanne Weinzierl and Angelo and Rose Moretti, their strong Catholic faith guides this couple as they embrace stewardship as a way of life.
