June 3, 2011
People of Faith
Youth minister says put things in God’s hands and leave them there
BY STEVE HALBIG
The People of Faith feature is compiled by Steve Halbig, who asks a series of questions of people of the diocese — some who have reached the “age of wisdom” and some who are younger. All will share stories of faith.
Name: Shirley Jeffers
Age: 53
Where are you youth minister? St. John, Loogootee
What is the best part of your job? Friendship with the kids.
What is the hardest part of your job? Lack of parental commitment, Mass especially.
Who has been a big influence in your life? Father James Lex (deceased); Sr. Patty Lasher; Father Leo Kiesel; Father Joseph Erbacher; the priest and sisters in Tijuana, Mexico (Missionaries of the Cross); and my husband Mark.
Who do you consider to be the best role models today? Happily married Catholic couples who are active in the Catholic Church.
Describe how your faith helped you through a difficult time in your life? Just knowing there is a higher power and someone you can always turn to and find hope. Prayer is very comforting and familiar to me.
Do you have any hobbies? Walking, bowling, shopping, golf.
How do you stay active? Walking in golf and floor exercises.
What do you like most about being Catholic? My parish church, the traditions, the sacraments, Eucharist and the variety of ways to pray.
Of those things that are possible to change in the Catholic Church, what would you change? Not sure of anything.
If you could make one change in your community, what would it be? Less gossip.
Any regrets in life? Maybe worried less about the small stuff and spent more time and energy on my two kids.
Tell us a few more things about yourself: I have one older brother , two older sisters and one younger sister, and we all five live here in Loogootee. My dad is at home and my mom is in the nursing home. My husband has been most supportive of me and my position in youth ministry the past 20 years. I have a daughter, 27, and a son, 24, and they both live in Loogootee. Mark and I are going to be grandparents for the first time in November!
What do you do in your spiritual life that you would recommend to others? Weekly prayer hour in church.
What is your best wisdom on life? Take one day at a time and don’t worry; try to put things into God’s hands . . . and leave them there!
Contact Steve at shalbig@evdio.org