Paul and Maria Dumas are tireless volunteers at St. George Church. (Courtesy Catholic Stewardship Consultants)
By Catholic Stewardship Consultants
www.CatholicSteward.com
When some people think of volunteering their time, they consider it a chore. Modern society tells us that we should be paid for our work.
But, as good stewards, we know that isn’t true. We all have talents that we should cultivate and share.
Paul and Maria Dumas know this firsthand, and they believe any opportunity to serve is a blessing. The couple has been at St. George Church in Waimanalo for 33 years.
Maria has been involved with about every ministry at St. George.
“We love serving the Lord,” she said. “We hope we are doing it right and glorifying God with our lives. That’s what we want.”
Paul and Maria, who have two children and seven grandchildren, are both retired, but have a long service history. Paul was in the Peace Corps, and later they lived in Nebraska for a time, working with Native Americans. They also lived in Samoa for six years before coming to Hawaii.
In Hawaii, Paul worked for a nonprofit that helped strengthen education systems in the Marshall Islands. Now, though retired, they continue their service work by helping people experiencing homelessness in the area.
Paul has always tried to follow President John F. Kennedy’s quote, “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” He’s tried to live his life according to this concept.
“God has given us thousands of blessings,” Paul said. “We are so grateful to share that, to support people.”
Both Paul and Maria are extraordinary ministers of holy Communion. This has been a rewarding ministry in which they’ve served for many years in the various places they have lived. They also bring the Eucharist to the homebound.
“I’ve trained extraordinary ministers so that they realize that this ministry is all about Jesus,” Maria said. “We need to show that it’s about Jesus and not about anyone else.”
“Church is where my heart is,” she said. “I am happiest when I’m there.”
Maria is also a longtime choir member, and Paul is a member of St. George’s men’s group and Finance Committee.
Recently, the couple retired from leading OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). Paul estimated that he has seen more than 100 people participate in this program during the decades he has been involved.
Paul and Maria also participated in a yearlong cohort through the Franciscan University of Steubenville. As part of this endeavor, they will be starting a ministry this fall specifically for the formation of Asians and Pacific Islanders.
For the couple, service is truly a part of who they are.
“We’ve found much peace and happiness in the church,” Paul said.
“We are the church,” Maria said. “It’s not a building. It’s us. We are the body of Christ. We want to be like Jesus. We are not him, but we want to be like him.”
The couple encourages everyone to find a way to get involved in their parish.
“We want everyone to know that we need everyone,” Maria said. “You are the missing link — God needs you. He doesn’t have all the pieces to the puzzle without you. We all need to bring our gifts to God to serve him.”
“God doesn’t create junk, and he has a plan for you,” Paul added. “You can relax in God’s comfort.”