A parishioner keeps up with her services at her parish

Intermountain Catholic

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Patricia Siliezar has been serving her parish since she arrived to Ogden. IC photo Laura V. Sausedo

OGDEN – Patricia Siliezar has a smile for every person who enters the parish offices at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Ogden, where she’s lived for the past 14 years. The mother of two children, Siliezar was involved with the youth group for eight years, then joined the catechist and RCIA groups. Now she is a lector, part of the Eucharistic ministry, takes care of the parish bulletin and is coordinator of quinceañeras and baptisms. Her service with the Church has grown with Ogden’s Catholic community. A few years ago St. Joseph Parish celebrated only one Spanish Mass, with about 20 people attending. Today the parish offers three Spanish Masses, with good attendance at each.

"I feel that my service here is more like a therapy; the Anglo and the Hispanic Catholic communities have grown a lot," said Siliezar.

"I think that the work for my parish is more a service, and people need to do service for their parishes."

St. Joseph Parish has two active priests: Father Kenneth Vialpando, the pastor; and Father José Barrera-Hernández, the parochial vicar.

"Sometimes people think that the priest can do everything, that they just work for the Masses and that’s it," said Siliezar. "When you work here is when you realize that that’s not true; they have a lot of work and they need our help.

"Both priests are very active and they love and care for their community very much," said Siliezar, "but the community keeps on growing more and more and the need for services is very big."

Hispanic parishioners feel very comfortable to talk to her; she speaks both in English and in Spanish and that gives Siliezar the opportunity to respond and attend to all the parishioners that seek her help.

Her door is always open and she hopes her service to her parish will serve as an example and will somehow make a difference one day.

"We are the hands and feet of Jesus, we are called to serve in our parishes," said Siliezar.

Fr. Vialpando said Siliezar is a good example of a good parishioner and of service. "We are very happy with her service and work for the parish," he said.