Chris and Sam Parry of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, Gibbsboro, say none of what they do could be effective without the help and sacrifice of others who also volunteer their time and talents. They are pictured with their son Robby and, from left, Father Howard E. Muhlbaier, senior priest; Msgr. Ciaran O’Mearain, pastor; and Deacon Vincent A. Okoro.
GIBBSBORO – Chris and Sam Parry give much of their time and talents as stewards at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish by helping the needy, counseling parishioners to become more involved with the church, and bringing the Word of God to those who have been incarcerated.
Yet both Chris and Sam say none of what they do could be effective without the help and sacrifice of others who also volunteer their time and talents.
“It’s more than just one or two people involved with stewardship,” said Chris. “Things get done with many people working together.”
The Parrys have been parishioners for 12 years and Chris has been working in stewardship for about 10. She started when her children Camille, 16, and Robby, 14, were only 4 and 5 and while she taught religious education. She also started visiting nursing homes at that time and brought the children with her. Even now they visit the nursing homes during the summer and their Easter break. Robby today is an altar server.
“I also make holiday baskets,” said Chris. She oversees 18 different ministries of the Human Concerns Committee in the parish and directly leads five of them.
A ministry Chris directs is Rhythm of Life in the Camden County Jail, which she’s been doing for about five years. It’s based on a book of the same name by Matthew Kelly which shows how one can become the best person possible.
“We have discussions with the inmates,” she said, “and Father Gerard Marable, pastor of St. Bartholomew (Camden), comes in once a month to speak.”
Chris said she and her group try to help those when they are released. For instance, clothes are provided and there are attempts to set up housing.
“We’re now working closely with two women,” she explained. “We prepare résumés for them and help with job searches.”
Chris noted that her group is now working with the Camden Transition House for juveniles two Thursdays a month.
There are six volunteers who rotate for the prison ministry and 10 for the transition house.
“We’re helping the kids find work and to go back to school for their GEDs,” said Chris. “Some were in their last year of high school when they dropped out and want to go to college. We’re trying to help as many people as we can.”
During the summer she said her volunteers will be going to Lakeland Juvenile Center in Blackwood to help the youngsters there.
Chris said she’s attempting to get as many people involved as possible. There are about 100 people on her e-mail list and she asks them to volunteer for whatever they can, whatever program they like, whenever possible, as little or as much as they want.
Other ministries in the Human Concerns Committee include Adopt-a-Family where gifts are prepared for the needy at Christmas; the Armed Services Ministry works closely with the Yellow Ribbon Club of Marlton where items such as candy and personal products are collected for the military; and Image and Attitude Ministry shows how to “dress for success” where nice clothes are provided for those going on job interviews.
Another ministry under Chris’ direction provides food for the needy.
“We started with 15 families a month,” she said. “Three bags of staples are provided for them including a $10 gift card from ShopRite.
“We also have food drives for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, something we’ve been doing for 10 years,” she added.
Another of her ministries is the Nursing Home Companions, something she’s been leading for two years. Volunteers go into local nursing homes on a weekly basis and spend some time with residents. She was a volunteer for a year before becoming director of the program.
Another of her programs is the local outreach where calls will come in to the church from families who need help with their bills. Chris will then be contacted.
“My ministry work started eight years ago when I was a member of the Legion of Mary,” she explained.
Sam, through the Evangelization Committee he heads, organized a group of about 12 members of his committee to help Sacred Heart Church in Camden to demolish and rebuild homes.
“We advertised in the church bulletin asking for volunteers to help Sacred Heart,” said Sam, who got involved with the Evangelization Committee in 2005 when Msgr. Ciaran O’Mearain asked him to lead the committee.
“Sam does a lot for the Human Concerns Committee and for the Evangelization Committee,” said the pastor. “He publishes a calendar that explains the sacraments and his work does a lot to serve the Lord and be His witness.”
The calendar Msgr. O’Mearain referred to was printed for Advent. Sam was asked to develop the calendar and to give out to parishioners as a Christmas present. Some 2,500 copies were printed.
“It was very rewarding and had pictures of the church and information about the sacraments,” he said.
The Evangelization Committee’s main purpose is to influence those who are registered in the parish but don’t go to church to return to Mass.
“We have 2,500 families,” he noted, “but only about 800 get involved. Our job is to get others involved. St. Andrew is a very fluid parish. People move in and out. In 2007-08, Mass attendance was up.”
Catholics Returning Home was a six-week series of classes to help Catholics who weren’t practicing as they should to come to grips with problems they may have been having.
“We work with people who have issues with the church or their faith,” said Sam. “We have seen some successes”
Eight people attended the six sessions, which were completed a month ago. Another session will be held in September and again near Easter of 2010.
Deacon Vincent Okoro was so impressed with the work the Parrys have been doing that he thought their story should be told.
“They have done a lot of good things for St. Andrew,” he said. “The Human Concerns Committee and the Evangelization Committee are outstanding. Both Sam and Chris are a credit to stewardship.”
For a full list of all ministries at St. Andrew call 856-784-3878. Contact Russell Davis, director of the Office of Stewardship, at 856-583-6102 for more information about stewardship.