Suzanne and John Donatucci
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion to Hospital Patients, Lector, Senior Adult Ministry Parishioners since 1996 Retired
In what ministries have you been involved with in the past?
Extraordinary minister of Holy Communion trainer, feeding the homeless, visiting the sick, prayer groups at abortion clinics and the Seminarian Pastoral Advisory Team.
What is your favorite thing about volunteering at the Cathedral? What do you get out of it?
Being involved with our faith and bringing it to others, meeting the parishioners of Saint Mary Cathedral who have a wide variety of interests and listening to the Schola Cantorum.
We are certain that most people, including non-Catholics, believe in God and turn to Him at their most needy times. We are comforted knowing that we can be there at these times. On a selfish side, we know that God has told us to comfort the sick, feed the hungry and clothe the naked, and there will be a time when he will ask if we have done that. We want to be able to answer, “Yes.”
What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as a Cathedral volunteer?
The two us served on the Pastoral Advisory Team for Fr. Jamie Misko, and we are rewarded every time we see him. We were involved in this talented young man’s development as a seminarian, saw him many times through his final year of study, attended his ordination and arranged the celebration luncheon for him after his first Mass at the Cathedral. We believe we have a special kinship with Fr. Jamie Misko that will last our lifetimes.
Why does volunteering matter?
There are a number of reasons that volunteering matters in that it affects the needy and helps meet the time demands on our pastor, parish priests and deacons. We have discovered a new and, we think very important, reason for getting involved. Whether we like it or not, people, especially young people, watch what we do. Young people have introduced themselves to us and talk to us, which is especially pleasing to us. We know they are watching what we do and that someday, they, too, will volunteer for ministries.
What are your other interests?
Occasional consulting assignments with food companies, golfing and continually trying to improve, managing money and trying to stay even with the taxman, traveling to various parts of the country, regular exercise and stretching workouts and Suzanne is in demand to assist with home interior decoration and is a member of a number of prayer and discussion groups. Our greatest interest and joy is visiting our sons and spending time with our five wonderful grandchildren in California.
What advice would you give to a parishioner new to volunteering?
The first advice we would give any new volunteer is to get to know Margaret and Paul Myers and watch them as they thoroughly enjoy their volunteer work. Never consider how much of your time volunteering will demand; the personal rewards and satisfaction will be worth the time and effort.