2 minute read
Meet Bob and Rachael Hooper: Living the Faith and Embracing Community
It’s easy to join a parish and get into a routine of attending weekend Mass. The weeks fly by and, before we know it, years have gone by. But when we get involved more at our parishes, that’s when we can really be challenged to grow in faith and to better know our fellow parishioners. That’s just what Bob and Rachael Hooper have done, whether it was when they attended St. John Neumann in Strongsville, or St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Apex, N.C.
Bob and Rachael moved around quite a bit, but, in 2018, they settled with us at St. Joseph’s to be closer to their children. Their involvement in parish life is not out of obligation — rather, it’s just such an integral part of their lives that they don’t think twice when asked.
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Both Bob and Rachael serve as Eucharistic Ministers. Rachael is in the Wonderful Women group and Bible Study. She also attends the First Friday Rosary group and is a part of a prayer group in the couple’s 55-plus community.
“I’ve grown in my faith quite considerably in the last few years,” Rachael says. “I feel that I want to continue to grow closer to our Lord.”
Bob and Rachael Hooper enjoy being involved at St. Joseph’s.
Bob is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Men’s Group, and he serves on the Finance Council. Bob even still meets virtually with his previous men’s group in Apex.
Getting involved has also allowed the couple to get to know people, helping to make them feel more at home.
“To become part of the family, you had to do something,” Bob says. “You can’t just come and go to Mass. You have to do your part.”
“Getting involved is a way to get to know people and to build a support system,” Rachael says.
Over the years, getting involved in their parish has been a way for Bob and Rachael to build a community.
“For us, faith isn’t just on Sundays — it is part of who we are,” Bob says. “Over time, church became more than just a Sunday thing.”
Bob and Rachael have a son, Robert, and a daughter, Erin. The couple enjoys participating in recreational activities in their community. They spend a lot of time in Port Clinton, Ohio. They also enjoy riding motorcycles. And of course, they enjoy being a part of the faith community at St. Joseph.
