When it comes to stewardship, Joe and Jackie Kern use all their time, talents and treasures to make it a family affair at Our Lady of Peace Parish in Williamstown.
Along with their three children — Jared, 16, and 11-year-old twins, Janelle and Jade — all are involved in some way in parish ministries. The children are altar servers and “sometimes we’d all participate in the same Mass. We’d call it the Kern Mass,” Joe said with a chuckle.
Father Cadmus D. Mazzarella, pastor at Our Lady of Peace, calls the Kerns a definite “source of joy and inspiration. They are truly selfless people. Any parish needs people with this amount of dedication. Always available to help.”
Jared recently broadened his stewardship duties by moving on from being an altar server to becoming a lector. Father Mazzarella said Jared was installed as lector on May 25.
The boy is also part of the senior youth group, John Paul II, after moving up from Jesus Fish for middle students; Jaden and Janelle are members of Jesus Fish Guppies and will soon move up to Jesus Fish.
Despite the family’s involvement in parish affairs, Joe didn’t become a Catholic until 2011.
“We did everything in the parish and became members of the parish since we were married 22 years ago,” Joe said. “And since our girls made their first holy Communion in 2011, I thought it was time for me to become a Catholic.”
He went to sign up for the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) and everybody in the office “thought I had come in to sign up to teach. I told them I wanted to become a Catholic. They were surprised. They thought I was already a Catholic.”
After his RCIA experiences he was appointed a lector in 2013.
“I wanted to become a Eucharistic Minister,” said Jackie, “and Joe wanted to be a lector. The classes were held on the same day in 2013. The morning session concerned itself with such things as the history of the Mass. After lunch there were two sessions, one for lectors and the second for Eucharistic Ministers.”
When it was over Jackie was named Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister of Communion.
After some 16 years in public relations at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden, Jackie was named advancement director five years ago at the St. Mary School which has more than 500 students.
“The advancement director helps with admissions, new students, funds, and public relations, among other things,” Jackie said. “I help students connect with the parish and direct them to various ministries.”
Joe and Jackie are a presenting couple of the Marriage Prep Ministry that used to be called Pre-Cana.
“Twice a year we take our turn as a Pre-Cana presenting couple,” Joe said. “We do sexuality and intimacy talks. The couples are set up in small groups. A priest gives talks on morality.” Jackie’s 19 years of experience teaching eighth-grade religious education classes helps her to connect with the groups.
Jackie also helps with youth groups during the week, and chaperones during meetings and on trips. Joe helps with car washes and chaperones trips. And because of his experience as a Channel 3 videographer, Joe often video tapes things for church activities.
For more information on stewardship contact Deacon Russell Davis, Office of Stewardship, at 856-583-6102.
Written by Rich Luongo for the June 6, 2014 Catholic Star Herald
Photo by Jim McBride