From time to time, we feature a profile of one of the Saint Benedict Parish staff members so parishioners can get to know them a little better and get a better sense of what they do at the parish. This month, we’re featuring our Life Group Assistant, Jackie Lupien.

What’s your job title?
JACKIE: I am the Life Group Assistant.

What staff team are you on?
I am blessed to be part of the Evangelization and Discipleship Team, the best team by far! (Even though it’s not a competition.)

When did you startworking at Saint Benedict Parish?
I exchanged a lot of emails back and forth with Bill Scollard in Spring 2020, sharing my thoughts and ideas. We had some really insightful conversations about what we think God is calling us to here at Saint Benedict. I joined the staff team in a non-salary role in June 2021.

What does your work here entail?
I have been blessed to help Bill Scollard with building the overall vision for
Life Groups. That involves loving and feeding people and building relationships with them. I give a lot of attention to ongoing education for Life Groups, which includes teaching and mentoring coaches and leaders. I continue to develop the Discipleship Self Assessment Tool. In line with that, I continuously review and analyze formation content to share with the Life Groups as they request and need it. This Fall, in response
to requests, I hope to run ongoing continuing Catholic education programs that will be open to all Life Groups and parishioners.

I also supply our Life Group Magazine with ideas, interviews and content. I develop templates, flows, and spreadsheets for the mundane (but necessary) part of running things efficiently and I obtain the metrics to reflect on what is done well and what can be improved. The focus is to fill all gaps and not lose one soul!

What did you do before you worked at Saint Benedict Parish?
I’m smiling at this question, because like most folk, I did a wide variety of things. The most important thing I’m doing is living out my vocation of marriage with the love of my life, and I’m a mother to seven sons and daughters. I had a career as an ICU critical care specialist nurse, I’ve studied finance, ran a business years ago, did a six month missionary stint in Mexico with Fr. Rick Thomas at The Lord’s Ranch, and I homeschooled for years. I organized and ran our home, fundraised and managed projects for two private schools. Actually, a lot of those life skills are helping me in this role. It’s amazing how God prepares us every step of the way!

Where are you from originally?
I was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, but our family moved around a bit. I also spent some of my childhood in a small town just outside New York City. We returned to Ireland, then immigrated to Burlington, Ontario when I was 12 years old.

What do you like most about working at Saint Benedict Parish?
I LOVE that I am getting the chance to be part of one of the most exciting times in history! I’m able to work for the Lord and his people. I really believe that God’s Holy Spirit is being poured out on people anew so that we can deepen our love for him, we can work together and build our community. We can then go out to find this discipleship road to Heaven!

What was a key moment in your faith life that you can share with us?
When I was 7 years old, I started to read our big leather bound family Bible... and I mean read it, literally cover to cover. I didn’t understand it all, obviously, but I see now that this totally prepared my heart and soul for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in my life when I was 15 years old. These two graces have been amazing gifts from God, and I am overwhelmingly and eternally grateful to Him. I owe Him everything.

What do you like to do outside of work?
My time outside of work can seem somewhat mundane. I read a lot, follow the Montreal Canadiens and F1 racing, enjoy nature, spend time with my wonderful family, do housework, run errands, and attend my Life Groups, plus I spend time thinking and praying about work! But my favorite thing to do actually is to spend time going for a drive and having deep conversations with my best friend and husband, Guy. Years ago, when we were first engaged to be married, we settled on a motto for our lives: to try to live an ordinary life extraordinarily well, because the Lord and the world are always watching.