Rene can I see you for a minute after Mass? How many times have I spoken those words? Our church is in great shape, but from time to time a door hinge needs work, a window needs adjusting, or one of the pews needs minor repairs. Im sure that every parish has its Fix it man, someone who can do everything from tightening a screw to erecting a new sign.
Ours is Rene Chabot. Whenever there is something that needs to be done, I ask Rene if he has a minute after Mass In four years he has never refused me, and some of my requests have been quite a challenge. Like the time I asked him to look at the kitchen sink that was leaking, and he had to dig up some cement as the pipe, which was embedded in the cement, was leaking. So often we think of stewards as the movers and shakers in the parish doing the jobs that hit the newspapers. But there are a multitude of stewards (otherwise known as angels) who work behind the scenes, without any fanfare, and in their own quiet way, share the gifts and talents that God has given them ... often at their own expense. I know some of those jobs cost something, yet Rene has yet to submit a bill!
When I think of Rene and the work he does in our parish I think of the scripture, Do not store up treasures for yourself on earth ... but store up treasures for yourself in heaven ... for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Mt 6:19-21).