COLLINGS LAKES — A young couple, aged 26 and 25, exemplified stewardship individually, before they married, and together, as a loving couple.
For some two years, JD and Jennifer Duffy have volunteered their time and talents to Our Lady of the Lakes Parish in various aspects of church life, including the Parish Council and the Religious Education Program (formerly CCD).
This joint effort coincides with the couple’s marriage but, prior to that, they practiced stewardship individually and were — and still are — examples to others on how to give of their time, talents and treasures in every way possible.
JD (which stands for Jerry Duffy to distinguish himself from his father, Jerry Duffy Sr. who’s also involved in activities at Our Lady of the Lakes) has been giving of his time and talents ever since he was a youngster.
“I grew up going to church every Sunday in this parish,” said JD, 26. “It was easy and enjoyable to give of myself to the church and I continued to do that after we married. Jennifer and I grew closer to one another after our marriage and we grew closer to the church.”
Jennifer, 25, grew up in the St. Martin de Porres Parish where she was extremely active and practiced stewardship there for many years. After she and JD married, she quickly gave her all to Our Lady of the Lakes.
“At St. Martin I started out helping the Religious Education Program while in middle school,” she said, “and continued throughout high school.”
Jennifer started as a lector at St. Martin while in the eighth grade. She read for confirmation, then was installed as a lector and remained one through high school. But she didn’t stop there. She joined the children’s choir and was a cantor at 16. And, after high school, she wasn’t finished giving her time and talents as a steward.
While attending St. Elizabeth College, she continued there as a cantor and a lector. After graduation she became a teacher of math, science, and English and teaches the seventh grade at St. Mary Magdalene School in Millville.
After her marriage to JD, she started volunteering at Our Lady of the Lakes and is now a cantor and also serves as a lector.
“We had many lectors so I started doing more work as a cantor,” Jennifer explained. “We’re getting new additional musicians now so the balance between lector and cantor is getting better.”
This past year she became a Religious Education Program teacher at Our Lady of Lakes. During her first year at the parish, she was a volunteer. “I now teach second grade,” she noted.
One of the things JD and Jennifer enjoy doing together is the Engaged Encounter program. JD, a union electrician, said that serving as a junior presiding couple and sharing their married life stories with engaged couples preparing for marriage has produced some encouraging results with individuals who might want to stay involved in the church after their marriage.
“We talked to these people and they looked pretty interested,” JD said. “We’re hoping when they’re newly married they will come back to help us,” adding that he and Jennifer are always trying to get the word out about stewardship. “We’re real busy,” he said, “but we’re always making time to let people know the joy of giving to the church.”
He also makes time for the Parish Council and the Knights of Columbus (he’s a Third Degree and has been a Knight since he was 18). He was elected to the council this past year and, at 26, is the youngest member. He is very proud to have received the second highest amount of votes, knowing the people of the parish have trust for a younger person
Jennifer made it plain that she and her husband are always talking about stewardship and volunteering and what they personally do for the parish but often they find it difficult to convince people to help out.
“You look around and you always see the same people doing all the work,” she said. “My husband and I have been trying to get others involved, so, for inspiration, I’ve been asking those in other volunteer organizations how they go about getting people to help them. It’s not easy.”
One thing Jennifer does is to look for people who are gifted in different areas and asks them to join the parish in its stewardship program.
JD and Jennifer are gifted themselves with musical talents, including arranging music. Both are part-time DJs and play at various venues in the area, including recent affairs of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. They’ve also handled the music for the annual chicken barbecue picnic sponsored by Our Lady of the Lakes. JD explained that he has volunteered at the picnic since he was a youngster, before he got into the DJ business, and often helped out as a food runner, someone who brings the goodies to the tables.
“I was impressed by them the first time I saw them in church,” said Father John Cavagnaro, pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes. “They said they were interested in the Parish Council and becoming lectors. So I encouraged them.”
Father Cavagnaro said the Duffys unselfishly give their time to the community and to the parish.
“Some people just come to Mass,” he said. “JD and Jennifer wanted to give a presence, take time to do all they can. They made the choice to give extra of their time and talents.”
Father Cavagnaro said he sees them after Mass always talking to people, telling them all about stewardship.
“People are busy,” the priest said, “and it is often difficult for them to make time to volunteer but there are people like JD and Jennifer who have the enthusiasm in everything they do. They try to convey this feeling to all those they meet.”
For more information on stewardship contact Russell Davis, Office of Stewardship, at 856-583-6102.