More than just an assistant: 

Celebrating Sandy Vartorella’s Retirement

For 14 years, Sandy has been the Pastor’s Assistant at Holy Infant.  But a position title can never fully capture the depth of someone’s value on staff. 

If you want to see the record of every Sacrament ever celebrated at Holy Infant, Sandy can not only show you the digital database, but also the meticulously maintained sacramental record books. 

If you have ever called to inquire about marriage preparation, your child’s Catholic school documents or to schedule an appointment with any of our five previous pastors, you probably had the pleasure of talking with Sandy. 

As a staff, we can expect a reminder email, with a calendar alert included, every Thursday afternoon reminding us that staff meeting agenda items and host announcements are due early the next week. This final email notice will go out on Thursday, June 25, 2020. 

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are a joy around the office because Sandy is there. After daily Mass, you can hear Fr. Robert sing in a melodic voice “Oh Sandy,” as he makes his way up the stairs of the parish office. 

“Sandy has been an excellent assistant, providing context, guidance, support, and advice throughout my time as pastor,” said Fr. Robert.  “Her business experience, work ethic, efficiency, and flexibility are qualities that have helped me learn how to lead.”

Sandy keeps the staff grounded, focused, and organized. Fr. Robert says that Sandy has a way of “offering alternatives and strategies, which has invariably led to richer solutions.”  The staff will certainly miss her gifts and talents that contributed to the daily operations of the office, but all can agree that we will miss her presence among us the most.

Wisdom and strong faith

Hallmarks of Sandy’s presence are her strong embrace of faith and her wisdom.  She is a true witness of God’s love and generosity. Sandy freely shares her faith in daily interactions and conversations. Lynn and Sandy have worked together for all 14 years. 
 
“Sandy is a woman of quiet faith - a great example of ‘preach the Gospel wherever you go and if necessary, use words,’” Lynn said. When it is her turn for prayer during staff meeting, Sandy chooses prayers that ground us in God’s presence during meetings and in our work; oftentimes from her iconic prayer book On the Job Prayers. If you ask her to pray for someone, she is very intentional about praying for people by name and situation.

Intent listener, gentle feedback

Sandy’s wisdom is evident in every conversation.  She is able to look at things and give perspective with a gentle, yet critical lens. 
 
“No matter what she has going on,” says Kristi, “she always makes time to listen without making me feel rushed and always gives feedback honestly.”
 
Leanne recalls her coffee breaks had with Sandy: “With my second cup of coffee for the morning in hand, what started as a simple ‘good morning, how are you doing?’ or asking a work-related question often led to a half an hour talking about spirituality, life happenings or the joys that our cats bring us. Sandy truly has a gift as a listener, and is a gentle guide for life’s ups and downs.” 
 
Francine also echoed this from conversations with Sandy, “She knows ‘how to do’, ‘when to do’ and ‘what to do’, and in her ever patient, kind and down to earth style, she imparts useful knowledge and advice that I have found priceless over these years. Our chats have often trickled from work to personal topics and I realized that I found in Sandy a valuable, trustworthy and dependable friend.”

A wealth of knowledge 

Sandy holds the institutional knowledge of the church office. Josee has worked with Sandy for seven years, first as the volunteer bulletin editor and now as the communication coordinator. Every week for seven years, Sandy has checked the bulletin before publication, making notes in the margins, Josee says.
 
“I may be the only person in the office who can decipher Sandy’s handwriting,” Josee says. “Her knowledge, wisdom and friendship over the years has made me a better person. She is a good listener and a calm, steady presence that will be missed.”
 

Lord, we pray that this may be a wonderful new beginning for Sandy. Help her to seize every opportunity that arises and to explore the gifts that You have given her, so that they may continue to be used to glorify Your name. Amen."