MEET PARISHIONERS RANDY AND CHERYL HELLERMAN: Sharing in Active Service to God and Parish

Randy and Cheryl Hellerman have been parishioners at Sts. Peter and Paul for almost 20 years. They were not originally from Elrosa, so becoming members of the parish was one of the ways that they were able to become part of the community. Now, they are involved in many different aspects of the parish. Cheryl has taught middle school, high school, and Confirmation classes. She has also helped with Vacation Bible School and has served as a lector at Mass. Randy has served on the Parish Council and is currently an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and a trustee for Sts. Peter and Paul.

“I want to be an example for my own children so that they understand what it is to include serving others as a priority in life,” Cheryl says. “By becoming involved in various ways in our parish, we have seen our kids’ willingness to become involved as well.

The Hellermans’ children have been involved in parish life over the years — serving at Mass, singing in the Youth Choir, and participating in Youth Group. They have also helped with Vacation Bible School and Totus Tuus in the summertime. As a family, they have hosted Totus Tuus and NET teams.

Active service was something that, at first, pushed both Randy and Cheryl outside of their comfort zones.

“I feared not knowing what to do and thought I couldn’t possibly do these things,” Randy says. “But with guidance from fellow parishioners, I have been able to fill all these roles.”

As parents, Randy and Cheryl have had to learn and change how they serve their parish. They had to find a balance between serving their family and their parish community.

“When the kids were young, it was more difficult to be involved, so I just did simple things like volunteer for Vacation Bible School,” Cheryl says. “Now that they are older, I have begun to open myself up more to ask God what it is that He wants me to do to make a difference to others. I have begun to go to Him more in prayer to help me to know what He is calling me to.”

Living a life of stewardship has been an important part of the Hellermans’ faith life. They believe that to actively live out the faith, you must show Christ’s love to those around you. They believe that by being involved in the parish, Christ is put back at the center of your life. Life can get busy, but by serving the greater community you are provided a way to turn the focus back to God.

“Our lives are crazy and sometimes it feels like participating in the parish would just be something extra to do,” Cheryl says. “But believe us when we say that becoming involved in a parish helps you put God back in the center of your life and your family. He always helps you find a way to fit in. No matter what you think your gifts are — or are not — God is calling you in some way to get involved. Once you do, you will be changed, and you will realize that it’s not just something extra. It is the very thing that brings everything else together.”

The Hellerman family has been very involved with parish life over the years.

The Hellermans helped organize a walk to raise money for an organization in Guatemala called Common Hope. Pictured are family, friends and fellow parishioners.