2 minute read
Heavenly Duster Ministry Steps Up to Keep Our Cathedral Neat and Tidy
We may be called to serve as a lector, sing, be part of a committee, or teach faith formation. Perhaps God may be calling us to do something as simple as cleaning. After all, just as our homes need our attention, our cathedral needs our care and attention, too.
Most of us are likely familiar with the saying “many hands make light work.” This is certainly the case for the Heavenly Duster Ministry! The many hands of this ministry help to spread out the work while keeping our cathedral looking neat and tidy.
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Jennifer Ziemer appreciates that shecan make an impact on her own schedule with this ministry, as it gives her a valuable opportunity to slow down and spend some time in the cathedral.
“It never ceases to amaze me how much peace I find after I’ve cleaned the sacristy, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve in a special way and stop the busyness in my life,” she says.
The Heavenly Duster members work on their own to complete various cleaning tasks.
A group of about 30 volunteers cleans an assigned section of the cathedral. A person cleans three or four times per month, every three months. This keeps custodial costs lower and makes the cathedral more welcoming. Volunteers clean floors, pews, the choir loft, stairwells, woodwork, vestibules, and the sanctuary.
The ministry is flexible because members come whenever it works best for them. Many bring family members, including children, to help. Jennifer thinks of her fellow parishioners as a family and St. Benedict Cathedral as home. Cleaning needs to be done, whether at home or at St. Benedict. So, Jennifer enjoys bringing her children to help when they are available.
“I explain to them that every parishioner has a role at our church,” she says. “It’s important to get involved to help the church thrive. No job is too small.”
As part of the Heavenly Duster Ministry, Jennifer has had the opportunity to meet other parishioners when she has trained them. She believes serving as a Heavenly Duster member is something she can do in return for all she has been given. She is blessed and is glad to use this ministry to give back.
“I usually spend some time after I’m done just sitting in the quiet, thinking of my blessings and praying for the parish, family, and friends,” Jennifer says. “I chat with God, Jesus, and Mary to ask for their support.”
Volunteers clean floors, pews, the choir loft, stairwells, woodwork, vestibules and the sanctuary.
A person cleans three or four times per month, every three months. This keeps custodial costs lower and makes the cathedral more welcoming.
Just as our homes need our attention, our own cathedral needs our care and attention, too.
