I have been part of Our Lady of the Woods Parish since I was baptized into the Catholic Church. This means that for as long as I have been a Catholic, and for almost as long as I have been alive, Our Lady of the Woods has been part of my life.
It was not part of my "original life plan" to work there. What little girl dreams of administrative work? But the stars lined up for me. I started at the front desk, answering the phone on a very part time basis under the watchful eye of Shelly. When I wasn't doing that, I spent all my spare time in the Youth Ministry office learning anything I could from Christine. I then went on to work for the Religious Ed department with Laurie and Colleen answering phones and coordinating 8th grade service hours. Eventually I was a full time employee, working in many aspects of technology and outreach in the parish offices.
The church took a chance on me. Most of the people working there when I began had been employees for 5+ years. Many of them had already worked at other parishes. It would have been easier for the staff of OLW to wait for a more experienced candidate for the positions I held. Instead of that, they chose me.
The staff, volunteers, and families at Our Lady of the Woods changed my life. My coworkers became my mentors and second parents. The volunteers taught me the true sense of selfless service. The families of the parish continually impressed me with their ability to balance their faith lives and their crazy schedules.
Our Lady of the Woods offered me incredible opportunities within my very own "family." The people who watched me grow up, the very village that raised me, was able to mold me into a professional. I learned how to run meetings, staff events, fund raise, and so much more. All of this was done in the context of the love of one another and the common goal of community.
Words can't describe how grateful I am for this community and the love that this parish has shown me. Today was a heartbreaking goodbye. But as someone wise once told me, "You're part of the OLW family no matter where you are."
Thank you to everyone at Our Lady of the Woods for the past four years of my professional career. Thank you for the thousands of cups of coffee, smiles, hugs, laughs, tears, and so much more that we have shared together. I can't imagine starting my career out anywhere else. How lucky am I to work somewhere with such amazing coworkers? How lucky am I to work for amazing families who became my friends? How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard?
Thank you Our Lady of the Woods. I will see you next time I am home. Hopefully, with less crying than there was today.