Parishioners John and Barb Meyer Receive Bishop’s Award for Service to Church

For the first time in over three decades, John Meyer could not sing with the All Saints choir when in-person Masses temporarily ceased during the pandemic. He and his wife, Barb, acutely felt the loss of their in-person parish community, for they have always sought ways to give back according to the different phases of their lives.

“It would simply be wasteful to not use our time, talent, and treasure to make others’ lives better if we can,” John says. “We have the time and the physical health. We have enough of our own. Contributing to the community seems natural and what the Lord wants of us.”

This year, John and Barb were honored to be two of the recipients of the Bishop’s Award for Service to the Church. The award recognizes laypeople whose stewardship is essential to ministries within the Diocese of Dallas.

“I would say we were extremely surprised when we were notified that we had received the award,” Barb says. “We know that the people who receive this award are giving so much of their time and giving generously and happily. We never expected that some of the people we work with in different ministries would put our names forward.”

In August of 1979, John and Barb moved to Richardson, Texas, and began to visit different Catholic churches in the area. They went to St. Paul and St. Mark, and then someone mentioned All Saints. When their boys finished religious education at St. Paul in 1980, they formally joined All Saints.

“We felt the most welcome and the most comfortable at All Saints,” Barb says. “Everyone was just so nice and friendly, so we decided to join, and we’ve been there ever since.”

In the beginning, John and Barb began giving back together through working with religious education at the parish. Then John joined the parish choir, and Barb became an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, which made their involvement in the Mass all the more meaningful.

“It was nice that they were able to livestream from All Saints during all those months,” Barb says. “We watched Masses from other churches in other parts of the country, but to see your own church, even though it was empty, and to see your own pastor was nice. I’m grateful to all the people who made that happen.”

Together, John and Barb have been involved in Empty Nesters and, later, Golden Saints. John joined the Knights of Columbus in 2009, and Barb joined the Ladies Auxiliary — since then, they’ve been involved in activities with the Knights a few days a week including the weekly “Bread Runs.”

Barb is also active in the All Saints Women’s Organization, and Barb and John used to serve meals at the Fisher House for the local community.

“After we both retired, we had more time to do different things and get involved in different ways than we could before,” John says. “We’ve helped with the Fall Festival and Bingo, which was really fun. I lead decades of the Rosary, and Barb has read a station for the Marian Stations on Fridays.”

Barb and John would encourage others to think about getting involved in one ministry or group that works for them and where they are in life right now.

“We have a great church, and every organization offers the community something,” Barb says. “If you have a young family, do something for families. If you’re retired, think about Golden Saints. You’ll meet fabulous people you can share with if you do.”

All Saints parishioners John and Barb Meyer