April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
GAGER, HAGEN AND HOFFMAN
Ravena trio put their stamp on St. Patrick's parish events
Ravena trio put their stamp on St. Patrick's parish events
The three senior citizens, who are parishioners of St. Patrick's Church in Ravena, are avid volunteers at the parish. In fact, they're all altar servers, eucharistic ministers and heavily involved in arranging and serving at funerals.
All three are members of the parish finance committee and prayer and worship committee, too.
Mrs. Gager is also a lector; Ms. Hoffman is the director of St. Patrick's food pantry and a former trustee for the parish. Ms. Hagen works in the rectory on Tuesdays and Thursdays and chairs parish fundraisers.
It all started about 30 years ago. St. Patrick's asked for older altar servers, and the family's involvement snowballed from there.
Today, the mother and daughters chuckle about their long service, joking that they are the "three old goats" of St. Patrick's parish.
"We're not there to be recognized," Ms. Hoffman said. "As long as we're able, we will do it."
"I love them," said Rev. Scott VanDerveer, pastor of St. Patrick's and of St. Mary's parish in Coxsackie. He said the three women bring a sense of stability to the parish, making sure that everything is always taken care of, and inspire him in his own ministry.
From their sense of humor to their selfless work ethic, the pastor said, "their spirit infuses the parish in so many ways."
The trio said the hardest but most worthwhile ministry in which they participate is for funerals. They are altar servers during funeral Masses, but they also take care of behind-the-scenes work like getting the church ready for the service.
They say they want to make the day as easy as possible for the grieving loved ones. "Sometimes, it's hard not to cry," Mrs. Gager noted, since many of the funerals are for parishioners and friends the trio has known for years.
"It's a final farewell," said Ms. Hoffman.
Volunteering for their parish together has brought the family closer. Donald Gager, Mrs. Gager's husband and the twins' father, said the three women often act more like friends than mother and daughters.
"Not every day," Mrs. Gager countered.
Though the three often disagree, that doesn't stop them from answering the call when one requests help from another. They band together to work in the food pantry or organize a fundraiser; though they might grumble, it's all in good fun, they said.
Once, the senior citizens even dressed up as singing trio The Supremes and sang "Stop in the Name of Love" for a talent show fundraiser for the food pantry.
Mrs. Gager, Ms. Hoffman and Ms. Hagen agreed that they'd rather not be recognized for their volunteerism. When parishioners see them coming, the trio joked, they most likely roll their eyes and say, "Oh, it's them again."[[In-content Ad]]
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