Secretary Puts a Smiling Face on the Parish

By Mary Donovan

If you feel the happy confidence that you're in capable hands when Kerry Martineau answers the Pastoral Center phone, you’re not deluding yourself. Kerry can answer your questions. If you feel welcome when you come in the office and she smiles a, "How can I help you?" you definitely are.

"The best part of the job is meeting people and families who come to the office," she said.

Kerry has been parish secretary for four years. But she has been around here much longer than that. Kerry made the transition from housekeeper, superb cook and major resource for FAQ (frequently asked questions) to secretary, superb organizer and major resource for FAQ. She saw the opportunity and she never looked back, as they say.

She has a very important job, said Fr. Mike. She is the first person many people come in contact with. As such she can set the tone of the parish. She is, as one of her admirers describes her, invariably professional, helpful, knowledgeable, pleasant and, he added, proving that not much escapes the masculine eye, has great style.

According to Kerry being pleasant is not a difficult task.

"I like the job," she said. "The people we work for are wonderful."

Most days, the Pastoral Center is a busy place: the parish nurse in her office, youth ministry and religious education offices going full blast. Parishioners come and go Meetings take place. And let's not forget the Fathers Mike and Manny.

Just then the phone rings. Kerry holds up a finger to pause the interview and answers, "Hello. St. Mary's" She checks a schedule posted on the wall. "I'll see if I can find her." She presses a number on the phone keypad and glances up with wryly humorous look.

"The hardest part of the job," she said, "is trying to keep track of what everybody else around here is doing."