Remember that scene in “Mary Poppins,” where the wind changes, and the weathervane makes an abrupt 180 degree turn? In the beginning of the movie, the wind change brings Mary Poppins. At the end, the wind changes and ushers her away. Well, the winds of change are blowing for me, and just as Mary Poppins had mixed feelings, so do I.

I’ve worked at St. Mary’s for a little over 10 years now, and I’ve felt so loved and supported here. I feel like I’ve made a difference in people’s lives, like in no other job I’ve ever had. You’ve become my adoptive family. My spiritual family. My friends.

Fr. Jose and I have worked together since he first came, and I was a new, untrained church assistant who made lots of mistakes. Father has always treated me with kindness, respect, and understanding, and I’m so grateful to him.

But the parents who raised me, who loved me, who taught me to love—they need me now. My parents are still active, but finding it difficult to go to the places and to do the things they used to do. It’s my turn to be there for them, as they have been there for me in so many ways for my entire life.

In merging households with them, we will move to Monroe, which is closer to their doctors, their friends, and their activities. I want them to keep all the things and people they know, and that requires a sacrifice on my family’s part.

This means that I will be leaving St. Mary’s. I’ve prayed and leaned heavily on God’s guidance for this decision, and yes. He is moving me on along a different path—one I hope will allow me to better be the person he created me to be.

That being said, I have two missions for you.

First. Whoever comes to sit in my seat—BE KIND to them. When I arrived, in April of 2016, I was unprepared for the work I would need to do here, and I needed a lot of time to learn. The truth is, this is a tough part-time job. Beyond the liturgical cycle, Vatican law, Archdiocesan procedure, specialized software, and so forth, there are many hats this person will wear.

So—be kind, the way only people at St. Mary Mother of God can be kind. Be your wonderful, loving selves, and remember that everyone is a beginner sometime. Since much of the job has to do with the Liturgical Calendar, it will possibly take this person a few YEARS—not months—to get everything working smoothly.

Which brings me to my second mission for you. Just as I’m an individual, with gifts and talents, so is the next administrative assistant here. The new person will shine in ways I don’t, but won’t be so shiny in others. I wasn’t a carbon copy of the last person, and the new person will not be a carbon copy of Shannon Zieg. The new person will be the individual God puts here for you.

In the same way, you are—each of you—uniquely suited to support St. Mary’s and each other. And we need more volunteerism at St. Mary’s. We have the same people burning out doing multiple things. Look at the ministry schedule in the Bulletin. There are lots of holes even for weekly Mass. But the frustrating thing is that so many of you are GOOD at things we need! We have great people who can help maintain the church, or to supervise contractors, because of their knowledge base.  There are great lectors, musicians, interior designers, artists. People know how to run specialized software, like RingCentral or ParishSOFT, or understand web design. Maybe you are fluent in sound systems, livestreaming, social media. Maybe you can do 3D printing, or use a scroll saw. Maybe you knit, sew, cross-stitch, do photography or write plays. We have SO many untapped talents and passions in this parish, and we need you all! What are you good at? What do you love to do? There could be opportunities here that will allow you to do these things for God, and your parish family. Just because you don’t see a need for your gifts doesn’t mean we can’t use them at some time.

Many things can be done outside your work schedule. Some are not weekly. But the truth is, the more good volunteers we have who show up, who are dependable, who do the job, the less any one person has to be here constantly. If we have several people ready to step up, the work can be spread out. Don’t be afraid. If God calls you, say, “Here I am!” Don’t talk yourself out of it. Tell us your passions, gifts, and skills on the sheet in the narthex. You won't regret it!

Before I close, I want to ask you one more thing.  If you liked how I treated you, please do the same for others. Make sure everyone here knows they are loved by God, but also by you. Love them gently, the way a mother does: wanting what’s best for them, wanting their happiness, disliking bad behavior, but loving them as human beings. In the end, this is what Christ asks of us. It’s also what makes this community special. You are all, each of you, so capable of that love.

My last day here will be Friday, July 24.

I will miss you terribly, and think of you often. I hope you remember me, and that you stay in contact.

Love and Blessings Always,

Shannon Zieg