Annette Scognamillo, left, with Agnes Groff and Susan Redpath, serves in many ministries at St. Rita Church in Haiku, Maui. Scognamillo says her favorite is the parish’s thrift store. (Courtesy Catholic Stewardship Consultants)
By Catholic Stewardship Consultants
www.CatholicSteward.com
Annette Scognamillo loves being involved at her parish, St. Rita Church in Haiku, Maui — it’s been a part of her life for a long time.
She draws her desire to be involved back to the example of her mother, Elvi Riecke, who modeled stewardship through her involvement with religious education and as a lector.
In addition, Scognamillo, her sisters and her mother were all in the choir at St. Anthony Church in Wailuku. Now, years later, Scognamillo is a choir member at St. Rita.
“I really love choir,” she says. “The songs stay in your head. You keep praying — you remember them.”
Since Scognamillo is semi-retired, she has extra time to give to the parish. She serves as a lector for weekday Mass and appreciates that this is less intimidating than weekend liturgies — she feels comfortable since there are fewer people there.
“I try to prepare each morning to lector in case someone isn’t there,” Scognamillo says. “I love having those readings in my heart and mind.”
Scognamillo also serves as an extraordinary minister of holy Communion for weekday Mass. Furthermore, she cleans the church for two months of the year — she says she appreciates the solitude and how it gives her time for prayer.
Scognamillo is also involved in the Environment Ministry.
Most of Scognamillo’s stewardship work centers around St. Rita’s thrift store, which is run by volunteers and open two days a week. Those in need receive items for free.
About once per month, the group goes out to those in need and hands out meals and items. They also facilitated a giving tree last Christmas. Sometimes, Missionaries of Faith Father Robert Ni Ni, pastor of St. Rita, will join the group and pray with people.
“When you are helping with this ministry, you realize that you take a lot for granted,” Scognamillo says. “I feel blessed to have the opportunity to serve.”
The income generated at the thrift store helps repair and maintain the church buildings and pay for items for the Environment Ministry. Scognamillo’s favorite way to serve is at the store.
“When we are together going through items, there’s camaraderie,” says Scognamillo. “It’s fun.”
Scognamillo recommends that everyone get involved in their parish — the time you give will be paid back to you immensely.
“When you get involved, you get to know people, and it becomes a family,” she says. “You grow in faith.”
As Scognamillo emphasizes, don’t be afraid to commit.
“Some of my best friends are at church,” she says. “Getting involved is not just a way to get to know people — you will also grow in faith. I hope people will realize that their life will be more meaningful if they join in with stewardship wherever they can.”
In her free time, Scognamillo enjoys gardening, crafting and reading.