Parish office staff across the Diocese of Allentown gathered June 24-26 for the first diocesan Parish Office Staff Retreat Days, a chance to reflect on their roles as “the face of the parish,” said Bishop Alfred Schlert, and how they answer God’s call through their daily administrative work.
The retreats took place over three consecutive days, and staffers could attend the day and location of their choice.
Locations included Holy Cross, New Philadelphia on June 24; Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem on June 25; and Holy Guardian Angels, Reading on June 26.
Those in attendance were parish secretaries, administrative assistants, directors of religious education, and business managers, among other roles.
“I love interacting with everyone in our parish family,” said Anne Sitarick, director of music ministry and parish secretary of St. Mary, Kutztown, reflecting on her role working in the parish office.
Heyde Hernandez, a secretary at St. Peter the Apostle, Reading since 2017, said her mother encouraged her to apply for the position at the parish. Though initially hesitant, Hernandez said she now feels a sense of “belonging” and finds meaning in “advocating for Spanish-speaking parishioners.”
The inspiration to offer the retreat days came from the Disciple Maker Index (DMI) Survey conducted in the Diocese during Lent 2024.
The survey included a question that asked who other than the pastor is the most visible person at the parish? Other than deacons, the majority of respondents said it was the parish office staff.
This insight helped reinforce for Maggie Riggins – Executive Director of Evangelization and Formation for the Diocese of Allentown – “the importance of the parish office staff,” she said.
Riggins told the parish office staffers that she felt inspired to provide them with a day to honor and thank them for their “dedication to parish life” and “the day-to-day operation” of their churches. “It’s a vocation, not just a job,” Riggins said of their work.
The retreat at Holy Guardian Angels opened with a prayer by Father Allen Hoffa, pastor.
Father Hoffa referred to the parish office staffers as “the people on the front lines of their parishes,” for their outreach to parishioners and anyone who comes to the doors of parish offices looking for assistance and guidance.
Riggins led the morning reflections and discussions, asking staffers to reflect on their paths to working at their parishes – which Riggins referred to as their “call stories” – and to focus on God’s role in these stories and the spirituality of their administrative work.
Riggins likened the call to parish office work to the biblical calls of Old Testament figures Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, and Samuel – who trusted in God despite having doubts about their own abilities – and New Testament figures the Apostles and St. Paul – who proved that God can use anyone for His redemptive work.
Riggins noted that the words "administration" and "ministry" share the same root, which highlights “service to others,” integral to the spirituality of parish office work. The administrative work “becomes a spiritual pathway that leads to joy,” she said.
Bishop Schlert was the main celebrant and homilist at each Mass offered for the parish office staff during the retreat days in New Philadelphia, Bethlehem, and Reading. Father Keith Mathur, Diocesan Chancellor, concelebrated.
“The Diocese is a grouping of parishes,” said Bishop Schlert in his homily, “and it’s in those parishes where people experience the Church” and “where people are served one-on-one in [meeting] their spiritual needs.”
“You’re an integral part of that because you’re supporting your pastor,” he said. “It should never be taken for granted the good work that you do…. Every day, you come to do the work of the Father.”
The morning retreat ended with lunch, and staffers returned to their offices feeling refreshed and encouraged in the significance of their work.
“It was a community-building experience,” said Lisa Wood, house decorator at Holy Guardian Angels, reflecting on the morning retreat.
By Gia Myers
