Senior volunteers are appreciated by community and love what they do

Intermountain Catholic

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Mount Benedict Monastery volunteers Barbara Brown (front), Anne Sneddon (back left), Georgia Goodell and Shirley Carlson enjoy helping the sisters answer the phone and greet the visitors who come to the monastery. ?The monastery is such a peaceful place,? said Carlson.

OGDEN — Most of the volunteers at Mount Benedict Monastery are seniors and retired. "They are a great asset to the Monastery," said Benedictine Sister Danile Knight, contact person for the monastery. "They all represent the monastery so well and we just love them. We have about 25 volunteers and we are having a luncheon to thank them on Feb. 18."

Although people of all ages contribute their time to St. Benedict’s Foundation, many senior volunteers offer their help. "They help us with our fundraising events," said Yvonne Coiner, St. Benedict’s Foundation executive director.

Rae Crozier is the St. Benedict’s volunteer coordinator, and also helps with correspondence. "She retired from the Internal Revenue Service and helps us with state and federal requirements and filing our records," said Coiner. "She is a great organizer and a great recruiter of volunteers."

"I love it here, said Crozier. "I do whatever they need me to do."

"The women who work at the front desk for the monastery come and help us stuff envelopes," said Coiner. "They set up an amazing assembly line and they have so much fun. They call themselves Stuffers Anonymous."

Barbara Brown has been a volunteer at the monastery front desk for about eight years. She also volunteered at Our Lady of the Mountains Retreat House when it was in operation. She moved to Utah from Florida to be near her daughter, and is a member of Saint James the Just Parish. "I like volunteering because I want to give back for all that God has given me," said Brown. "I enjoy meeting and working with the other volunteers. I am originally from Minnesota where the sisters are from, and I like talking Minnesotan with Sr. Danile."

Georgia Goodell also was a volunteer at Our Lady of the Mountains Retreat House and met the sisters through her husband, who was employed at Ogden Regional Medical Center. She and her husband converted to Catholicism six years ago, and a year later her husband died.

"The sisters were instrumental in our conversion, and it was after his death that I became a volunteer," said Goodell, a member of Holy Family Parish. "I needed something to keep me going, and Sr. Danile asked me if I would like to help out at the retreat house and then here at the monastery. I also serve on the foundation board and on the Sisters’ Friends committee, which helps the foundation organize fundraisers. It’s like Sr. Danile knew I needed something. I can’t think of a better place to offer my help and spend my time. The sisters are amazing."

"My daughter and I say the same thing about the monastery," said volunteer Shirley Carlson. "The sisters are so nice, and it’s so quiet and peaceful at the monastery. I work on Friday, and it’s such a good way to start the weekend. I also volunteered at Ogden Regional for 10 years."

Carlson also volunteers at Shriner’s Hospital once week and is a Lady Shriner, a Daughter of the Nile and Lady of the Oriental Shrine. She works once a week on the information desk at Shriner’s Hospital. "I get a lot of self-satisfaction out of volunteering and I meet some really nice people," said Carlson who is a retired nurse.

Anne Sneddon also volunteers in various places including as a substitute at the Monastery. She is a member of St. James the Just Parish, and counts the collection once a week and helps with funeral dinners. "I also belong to the Promoters of the Sacred Heart, sponsored by St. Joseph Parish," she said.

"We attend rosary vigils for the deceased to make sure they are attended and that the family is comforted," said Sneddon. "I have a lot of time on my hands and it is satisfying to help others."