Reflecting on serving through the Msgr. Sigur Center for Financial Assistance
by Sarah Baquet
In Fall 2023, it was clear to Catholic Charities of Acadiana staff that a support team of volunteers was needed in the Msgr. Sigur Center for Financial Assistance. The need required the support of volunteers in a way that was very new to Catholic Charities of Acadiana – answering phone calls and interacting directly with those in crisis – both over the phone and in person at the receptionist desk.
As Volunteer Experience Coordinator, I felt daunted by the prospect of identifying the right volunteer for this new role. I knew that it needed to be someone who was gentle and kind, patient, calm and steady in the face of high emotions or unexpected behaviors. I did not have anyone on my radar that fit the bill.
The Food for Families Food Drive rolled around in December and a new volunteer joined to help direct traffic as cars pulled up to deliver their donated food items. This new volunteer was Miriam. My first impression of Miriam was of a woman who was kind, gentle, and calm - the sort of person who naturally puts you at ease. I learned in our initial conversation that day that Miriam had retired from working for many years in the field of special education.
I didn’t initially connect the dots that God was drawing, but after the Food for Families Food drive when I set my mind to again consider who might be a good fit for this new and unique volunteer role at the Msgr. Sigur Center, Miriam popped into my mind. Yes! She was a great match for the role, our staff, and our clients!
Miriam accepted my invitation to try out the role as a Front Desk Receptionist in the Msgr. Sigur Center for Financial Assistance in January, and she is still with us twice a week, filling a support role that has been a tremendous blessing and help to our staff and the clients who come seeking our help.
This is what Miriam says this about her time volunteering at the Msgr. Sigur Center for Financial Assistance.
“I recently started volunteering at the Msgr. Sigur Center. It has been a pleasure to work with the staff at the Msgr. Sigur Center and others in Catholic Charities of Acadiana. It is uplifting to see the positive interaction between staff and clients. Mother Theresa loved to say, “There are not great things, only small things with great love." My prayer for service is to do small things with great love. The appreciation and kindness we get from clients make the service at the Msgr. Sigur Center a pleasure!”
Thank you, Miriam!
Questions about possibly being a specialized volunteer in one of our programs? Reach out to our Volunteer Experience Coordinator, Sarah Baquet, at sarahb@catholiccharitiesacadiana.org or (337) 235-4972 x1222