As part of the focus on gratitude in this issue of Vermont Catholic magazine, parish representatives were asked to tell about a parishioner for whom the parish is grateful. Here are four of those mentioned.

Margy Boulet, St. John the Baptist Church, North Bennington

“When I became the new office manager at St. John the Baptist while simultaneously becoming a new Catholic, Margy Boulet was, and continues to be, extremely helpful in my ongoing learning process. She is very dedicated to the parish, and besides answering my seemingly unending questions, she recruits and trains lectors, serves as the chair of the liturgy committee, chair of the decorating committee and probably other duties I’m not aware of. She’s a very soft- spoken person who quietly and thoroughly helps keep this parish running smoothly and successfully.”

— Christy Miner

Sherri McKirryher, St. Bridget Church, West Rutland

“Sherri McKirryher is key to the overall success of St. Bridget Parish. She volunteers many hours each week to ensure that the church is ready for services and it’s clean and decorated. She coordinates the decorating team, maintains the clothing shed, assists at all events and takes care of all the gardens outside the church and rectory. She repairs things when broken, she greets people at Sunday Mass, she sings in the choir and her smile is infectious. These are just a few of her contributions to St. Bridget. She also assists at her sister churches of St. Stanislaus and St. Dominic. A wonderful lady! We are so blessed.”

— Mary Nemeth

George May, St. Pius X Church, Essex Center

“George is a great help to me and the parish no matter what time of day or night we are in need! He serves as an altar server at Wednesday night Mass, helps with adoration set-up on Sundays, serves as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion on weekends and [tends to] many odd job items in the church and in the rectory. He is very willing and capable and always with a friendly demeanor.”

—Edmundite Father Charles Ranges

Brad Soutierre, St. Thomas Parish, Underhill Center

“Brad Soutiere is our finance chair but is always popping up whenever we need him, handling maintenance, financial, clean-up, planning, scheduling issues and more. When he sees a need, he fills it or finds someone who will. He advocates for the parish and brings motived, skilled people to every task he completes. He is extremely generous with his time and money, and our parish would not be where it is today without his help over these past 7-8 years. From a parishioner: ‘I nominate Brad all day, every day and twice on Sunday!’ God blessed us with Brad!”

— Theresa Gingras

If you would like to nominate someone from your parish to whom you are grateful for his or her contributions to the parish, send your name and phone number along with your nomination comments, the name of the person you are nominating, a photo of that person and that person’s phone number and email to writer@vermontcatholic.org.

—Originally published in the Spring 2023 issue of Vermont Catholic magazine.