By Catholic Stewardship Consultants
www.CatholicSteward.com
It’s the goal of every Catholic couple to keep Christ and his church in the center of their marriage, but for David and Mary Tom, that goal was literal.
After meeting and marrying at St. Stephen Church in Honolulu, the couple have remained integral to the parish community through a multitude of roles.
“I had been single all my life, and in 2008 I came back to Hawaii after being on the mainland for a few decades,” David Tom said. “I had always wanted to be a husband and a father and had prepared myself for that. But when I came back home to care for my parents, I told God I was content to be single, because I realized I wouldn’t have a lot of opportunity to meet anyone.”
David immersed himself in service at St. Stephen almost immediately after returning to Hawaii.
“Within a month of returning home, the pastor called me and told me they were restarting the Pastoral Council for the parish, and that he would like for me to be on it,” David Tom said. “I got more involved from there.”
In turn, David’s involvement led to his being introduced to Mary.
“I went to Mass and a woman offered to introduce me to someone,” he said. “Mary was in adoration in Pearl City at (Our Lady of Good Counsel Church) at the time, but when she came out, she received a message from Sister Marykutty (Kottuppallil) to come to St. Stephen, where we were introduced. I asked her to wait while I finished my duties as an usher for Mass, and she did — she waited for me for 45 minutes!”
That 45-minute wait was worth it. The pair talked for three hours at the parish that day, and the rest is history.
David continues to serve as an usher and has served in various capacities over the years — whether in youth and young adult ministry or on the Pastoral Council. Mary also serves as a lector, church cleaner, and counts the offering after Masses.
“I tend to be in the more visible roles, and Mary tends to like more behind-the-scenes roles in ministries,” David Tom said. “Whenever we can, we participate in whatever activities are offered.”
He expressed gratitude for parish stewardship being at the heart of his marriage.
“We approach service differently, but each having the same focus on service helps our faith grow,” he said. “I can feel comfortable committing the time that I do, knowing that she is supportive of that, and I hope it goes the other way around.
“We support each other in what we feel called to do. In the areas that I need to focus on growth, I know I have the safety to talk about the ways I need to be better.”
David and Mary are a testament not only to the life-giving nature of a relationship built on service, but also of God’s unexpected providence. Deepening involvement in parish life will certainly bring fulfillment!