  Parish Ministry was a new ministry for me when I first took it on at St. John’s Parish in Kingsbridge, New York. St Teresa Church, on the Lower east Side of Manhattan is my second parish. I have been serving here since September of 1999. At first, I was to develop a program for the youth of the parish. Later, the greater need was for someone to coordinate the religious education program of the parish. I have been doing that for 5 years. Within that responsibility, I choose to teach the students preparing for Confirmation. I must admit that this has been my greatest challenge. The students are in 7th and 8th grade and most come to class because they are sent by their parents. It is not as if they really want to receive the sacrament, although there are some exceptions. My deepest desire in teaching them is that they come to discover Jesus as their greatest friend - one who will never abandon them and who will always love them. My greatest joy is teaching RCIA – the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. These are adults who want to be baptized or to receive the sacraments of Eucharist or Confirmation. Their hunger and enthusiasm to learn and grow in faith is contagious. The celebration of the sacraments during the Easter Vigil is one of the highlights of the parish year.
If you know anything about parish ministry you know that no one ever has just one responsibility, and so it is, I wear many hats. One hat I wear that is fun for me is being in charge of supervising the overall parish maintenance. Not your typical job I guess but I love it.
All in all, this parish has been a great joy to me. The parishioners, most of whom are immigrants, welcomed me with open hearts from the day I arrived. I have learned so much from them. They have strengthened my faith and support me in my vocation. I will be forever grateful to them and their witness of faith to me.
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