Decades of work as volunteer keep church on the go

In 1948, when Fran Breen, her husband John and their four sons moved to Pittstown, she immediately volunteered at St. George's Church to help restart the religious instruction program for children.

Fifty-seven years later, she's still giving her time to St. George's.

"I actually retired twice but never really stopped working here," noted the 85-year-old woman.

Doing it all

Mrs. Breen is known affectionately to many at St. George's as "Father Fran," because she has done just about every job there is to do at a church.

She demurs, however, and says that all she has been doing for six decades is "whatever needed to be done at the time."

That encompasses a lot. She has been a secretary, housekeeper, sacristan, trustee, deanery representative, Eucharistic minister, lector, lay presider of prayer in the absence of a priest, Altar/Rosary society member, parish council member, religious education teacher, choir member and organist.

Many hats

"Fran is very much respected and loved by the people at St. George's," noted Rev. Joseph Manerowski, pastor, who is also pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Hoosick Falls.

"She unlocks the building, turns the heat on, prepares the church and the altar for Mass each weekend," he noted. "Fran is very helpful to us all in a number of ways."

In fact, when he arrived as pastor several years ago, she introduced him to most of the 200 registered families. In addition, she provided information on those families when he officiated at funerals and baptisms.

On the road

"Fran attends all of our deanery meetings with me," Father Manerowski said, "and she is a liaison between our faith community and the ecumenical group of churches in Pittstown."

In another role, she hits the road to "visit the sick and homebound, which I love to do," she said. "I know everyone in this community, and it gives me an opportunity to visit with them and also to pray with them."

She also knows when a new family visits St. George's or shows up for Mass. "I usually stand or sit in the back of the church," she explained. "I try to greet everyone when they enter the church. If I can't get to them before Mass, I will get to them afterwards."

Call 9-1-1

When Rev. John Riley was pastor, he, Mrs. Breen and the pastor of the Methodist church initiated a volunteer ambulance service. It eventually led to the establishment of the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corps.

"I learned First Aid and then trained to become an emergency medical technician," she said.

Before she retired from those duties, Mrs. Breen responded to 675 calls. Inspired by her, three of her four sons have become EMS volunteers.

Giving spirit

Mrs. Breen said, "I really believe in volunteering. It gives you a feeling of accomplishment to know that you are genuinely helping others.

"I love working at the church. I've been here for so long, it doesn't seem like work to me at all. I love the people here; they're all just like family. I actually feel that this is what God wants me to be doing.

"What else would I be doing anyway?"

(12/8/05) [[In-content Ad]]