Coach made an impact

By Kim Roberts

The end of June marks two years since one of my very best friends passed from this world to the next. Since I now work where he used to work, I find myself thinking of him often and the legacy he left behind.

He would most definitely argue with me that he did not make much of a difference, but he would be wrong. He touched the lives of countless children and teens through coaching, teaching, counseling, mentoring and suicide intervention.

He was a master of bereavement ministries and funeral arrangements as well.

Something that he always believed, and still holds true, is that it is imperative that we teach children from a young age the importance of going to Mass. As parents, we can see now more than ever that the world is trying to teach our children that it is okay to not attend Mass or even set foot in a church.

Since Covid, there is a more laid-back attitude in society about attending church. I mean who doesn’t like sleeping in on the weekends. But, it’s our job to keep reinforcing the importance of attending church to our children and making sure they know why Jesus’ messages are so important.

I know that it is not always easy to bring a young child to church, but pack up those crayons, snacks and sippy cups and teach them from a young age to feel comfortable in their father’s house.

We’ve all been there, you just need to find what works for you and your family, find a routine – it will get easier with repetition.

As a teacher and youth director at my children’s school, my friend would organize a monthly youth Mass and have the kids (elementary- and middle-school aged) read, usher and bring up the gifts. I guess I sort of took that for granted at the time, but looking back, this was such a valuable gift for my kids. These Masses helped them became comfortable reading on the altar from a very young age, and they learned the importance of serving the parish.

Thank you Coach for all you did for our kids. “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me” Matthew 18:5-6.