Melanie Woods

My family —my husband, Lyle, daughter, Kayley, son, Allen and I— have been members of the parish for about 14 years. I watched my daughter become a choir member. I was thinking of being involved, but I hesitated because I thought I had no time and nothing to give. I had so many excuses not to get involved and I knew I had so much blessings, but I faltered in pushing through the barrier of all my excuses! I thought to myself that other people can do the volunteering. There are so much people out there that one more person cannot make a difference. I was happy with my beliefs or as I say now ”the wool over my eyes.”
 
But one cannot reject the hand of God; and, through Father Leo Asuncion, God called me to serve. One day, he approached me and asked me to be on the Finance Council. At first I said “no,” because I had no accounting experience, but I went home and my conscience bothered me. It was as if I had a recording in my head telling me that it was time for me to give back. It was time for me to serve because it was time to share my blessings with others. I have many blessings: I have a Church and community where I feel I belong; I have a wonderful family with God in our lives. So, after two days, I accepted the invitation to serve on the Finance Committee.
 
At my first finance meeting, I understood why God guided me to be there. There was a particular discussion point of the need to have a plan and it became clear…there it was…my epiphany. My job is a Master Planner. This is what I do for a living. When I realized that my skills were needed, I was not just willing to serve but excited to serve!
 
Currently, I am a member of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Community which consists of a group of people, who inspire me because of their dedication to do fundraising for our Church to better our community especially our youth. I am a member of the Respect for Life Ministry because of my beliefs and my experience. When I was pregnant with Kayley, the doctors told me to abort because she was not “perfect” as they looked at the scans! When I had her, they were surprised because she was perfectly formed! In this ministry, I have a chance to not judge, but pass on knowledge to people who are desensitized to the horrors of abortion.
 
I am also part of the Grief Ministry Team, as someone who sends sympathy cards out to relatives of those who have died. I am also a member of the Maintenance Committee. Though a woman of no knowledge of turning “wrenches” and whom my husband laughs at because I physically tried to put a square peg in a round hole, I still feel I belong. There are a lot of hardworking folks that can turn wrenches, though they need more volunteers like me who can help them plan!
 
What I am saying is that as we think about belonging to a ministry, we may feel that nothing is a right match. However, I believe with my daughter joining choir and my husband joining RCIA to become Catholic and eventually joining the Knights of Columbus, then each one of us can help in some way. At a church as small as ours, every little bit counts. Every bit is a seed that grows into a flower that beautifies our church and God. What can you do to help?