Carpenter builds a new life for himself

Until the end of February, he was employed by Albany diocesan Catholic Charities in their administrative offices in Albany. Although many might think that his job as an accountant was boring, he liked the routine of reconciling figures and balancing books for a vast network of agencies. At 69, he had been working in that field for most of his career.

All that changed last fall, however, when he began to hear a quiet call in his heart.

Discernment

At first, he didn't think too much about what he was hearing in his heart. But, after a while, it began to bother him. He started to wonder if maybe the job he was doing, the one he was so comfortable with, was not quite fulfilling his baptismal call to ministry.

He began to pray about it and talking to people, such as mentors he'd met while in the FMP program and people at Catholic Charities.

"At some point, I'd decided that I was on a quest really, for more personal involvement at the parish level," he told The Evangelist.

Summoned south

What came along was St. Paul's parish in Hancock, where a priest from the Diocese of Rockville Centre, Rev. Stephen P. Morris, was acting as temporary administrator. That was in addition to his other duties as dean of students and spiritual director at The Family Foundation School in Hancock, a residential facility for teens with addiction and behavior problems.

The parish was looking for a full-time administrator who could take over the duties of organizing and managing the everyday operation of the Delaware County parish, which lies on the border of Pennsylvania.

Resolving his doubts

In addition, the weather was a big factor in his decision to even consider going for the interview.

"I did drive down, though, and spent the entire day with Father Morris, touring the parish and all the facilities associated with its administration," he said. "By the end of the day, we both knew that I was going to be offered the job of parish administrator."

He didn't accept immediately, choosing to pray about it for a little while. But he eventually realized that "God's will was being accomplished," and his quest for more involvement on a parish level was actually being fulfilled.

New family

When he introduced himself to the parish community of St. Paul's, he felt it important to tell them his personal story, including his family of origin's separation from him when he converted.

"After I spoke, a woman came up to me, gave me a hug and told me not to worry, that the parish would be my family now," he said. "I was moved to tears when she said that."

Letting God

"I knew God wanted me here. It was that simple," he said.

The parishioners have warmly embraced him as one of their own. He lives in the newly renovated rectory that also houses the parish administrative offices and doesn't have to worry about his car because he hardly ever uses it.

"The community at St. Paul's has been very welcoming to me," he noted. "They are wonderful people and really have been marvelous!"

New life

In other ways, however, his life is very exciting. The comfort and routine of being an accountant is gone. His new job is a daily challenge, one that is very similar he said to "being in the first car of a roller coaster.

"And," he added with a hearty laugh, "I'm having the thrill of my life!"

(05-30-02) [[In-content Ad]]