3 minute read
At Peace Like Never Before: Meet The Crutchfields
One of the beautiful things about our faith is that it is never too late to return to the fold. In fact, part of the stewardship way of life is a continued process of conversion, gradually becoming more perfect expressions of Christ’s love on earth. Queen of the Holy Rosary parishioners Lee and Connie Crutchfield are testaments of this truth, having come to the Church postretirement. In Connie’s case, it was a return to the faith of her childhood after years of being away, while Lee entered the Church through the RCIA process, becoming a brand-new Catholic.
“I fell away from the Church probably when I started going to public school in the seventh or eighth grade and didn’t return until 2009,” Connie says. “I began watching EWTN and The Journey Home with Mother Angelica. I just kept watching and watching, and over time felt the Holy Spirit leading me back.”
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“I, on the other hand, was raised Protestant and became Episcopalian when Connie and I got married,” Lee says. “But around 2007, 2008, I felt that something was pulling Connie back to the Catholic faith. I think I knew that even before she did. When Connie wanted to come back into the Church, Father said we should have our marriage convalidated. So we did that and at that time, he was also giving private instructions to two other gentlemen. I ended up joining and not too longer later, I converted.”
Their experience of conversion completely transformed their marriage and relationship with Christ. Married now for 54 years, it brought them closer than ever and filled them with a tremendous sense of joy and peace. Spiritually filled like never before, the Crutchfields were anxious to get involved and begin serving within their new church community.
“One of the first things I did when I came into the Church was ask Father what I could do,” Lee says. “He said, ‘Why don’t you start out as an usher?’ and so I’ve been an usher ever since.
“It was a way for us to get to know people,” Connie adds. “I didn’t want to just go to church and come home, not developing any kind of relationship or friendship with people. I felt it was important to get involved, like Lee did — to ask, ‘What can we do?’”
This desire to get involved and serve has led Lee to serve on the Pastoral Council and to join the Serra Club of which he currently acts as president. Connie, meanwhile, was involved with the Arts and Environment Ministry and was a member of the Legion of Mary, and currently serves with the Parish School of Religion, is an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and is involved with Christ Renews His Parish. She also coordinates RCIA, hoping to assist others interested in entering the Church.
“I just think it’s incredibly important that people who are interested in becoming part of the Catholic Church are drawn in and feel welcomed — that they aren’t just taught our theology, but that they are also taught about Jesus,” Connie says. “It’s more evangelization than anything.”
Though retirement is usually viewed as a person’s time to slow down and enjoy the fruits of their labor, Connie and Lee have managed to stay busy through their parish involvement. Yet, rather than a drudgery or obligation, they describe stewardship as a great gift in their life — a source of peace and joy that was missing in their lives for so many years prior to their conversions.
“I find I’m so much more at peace with myself and my life when we get involved and give of our time — when we share from what we have laid aside for retirement,” Lee says. “It makes you feel good inside. I’m much more peaceful now than I was when I first retired. I think, too, that we are happier as a couple.”
“When you’re not at peace with the Lord, you feel it in your heart,” Connie says.
