BEEN GIVENus, - Old St. Patrick's Church

COMMUNITY FAITH FORMATION
SOCIAL CONCERNS
People You Should Know
Barbara and Paul Doran
Q. How long have you both been volunteering at Old St. Pat’s
A. We have been volunteers for four years.
Q. Tell us a little about your ministry or volunteer position(s):
A. We are both involved with Sunday Mass: Barbara is a lector, and we are both
Eucharistic Ministers. We recently became involved with RCIA and the PreCana
Program. Paul is a wedding volunteer. We have volunteered at the World’s Largest
Block Party and the Pentecost Project.
Q. What prompted you to choose this area in which to volunteer
A. We are both transplants to Chicago and participating at Old St. Pat’s has been like
joining a family. We were regulars at the 5 p.m. Mass. We wanted to have a more
intimate experience of Mass and that is why we became Liturgical ministers. We
became interested in RCIA after having traveled to the Holy Land with Fr. Tom Hurley
and attending the Easter Vigil. We wanted to be with people who willingly want to
become Catholic and become members of Old St. Pat’s.
Q. What is the most significant aspect of your volunteer experience
A. Being able to give back our time to programs and events hosted by Old St. Pat’s — by
helping out when and wherever there is a need. By volunteering, we are contributing
to community building that is the essence of Old St. Pat’s. We sign-up for events
whenever possible. It is a wonderful feeling knowing so many people have the same
values and respect for Old St. Pat’s and its mission that we share.
Q. Our church’s mission is centered on hospitality; where or how do you host this
experience of hospitality outside our sacred space
A. In the past, we would go out to dinner with a group of people from the 5 p.m. Mass.
In the beginning of the year we came up with the idea of hosting potlucks at
people’s homes — rotating the place and everyone contributing a dish. The intent was
to create a Sunday family dinner experience — it worked! Our “family” at Old St.
Pat’s is constantly expanding and we are continuously forming closer relationships with
the people we see on a regular basis at Mass. We think a big part of this is the fact
we are Eucharistic Ministers every Sunday and are constantly interacting with the
people we meet. We are truly blessed to be a part of the Old St. Pat’s community.
Q. Why do you volunteer at Old St. Pat’s, and what rewards do you reap
as a volunteer
A. Neither of us have blood relations in Chicago, but Chicago is where we call home. The
relationships at Old St. Pat’s are some of the most genuine we have experienced in our
lives. We are continuously looking for ways to become more involved, to share our own
experiences with others, and to make them feel as welcome as we have at Old St. Pat’s.
Q. What advice would you give to someone who is considering becoming
a volunteer
A. It is a great way to give back to this wonderful church of ours and to meet other
people who share the same values and beliefs.
Q. What do you do for a living; do you volunteer anywhere else outside of
Old St. Pat’s
A. Barbara is a certified nurse midwife working with impoverished communities on
Chicago’s Southwest Side, and Paul is a financial consultant.
Breast Cancer Survivor Retreat
"Healing the Body,
Tending the Spirit"
Friday, Oct. 23 - Sunday, Oct. 25
Presenting this sacred time away is a
team of Mayslake Ministries
affiliates...all pastoral ministers, led by
Dr. Mary Amore, executive director.
Join Mayslake Ministries as they
explore the ways in which shared
encounters with breast cancer can lead
to spiritual transformation and growth.
Discover a pathway to healing the body
and tending the soul through shared
prayers, quiet reflection,
and group discussions.
The retreat is scheduled at the Double
Tree Hotel on Butterfield Road in
Downers Grove from Friday - Sunday,
Oct. 23 - 25. The cost is $250, and
includes all your meals. For more
details, please call 630.268.9000, or
visit Mayslake Ministries Web site at
www.mayslakeministries.org.
Want to get to know us better
We welcome your
questions or requests
for more information
about Old St. Patrick’s
Church. Please
contact Bridget Evers
at 312.831.9368.
Please visit our Web site and the online gift shop at www.oldstpats.org.
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