SPRINGDALE — Heavenly angels looking out for St. Raphael’s parishioners now have some earthly help with an aptly named Guardian Angel corps.
The adult volunteer group was the brainchild of pastor Father John Connell. The volunteers’ only job, he explained, “is to protect our children during the Spanish Masses.”
Father Connell was assigned to St. Raphael in late 2009 and he quickly recognized the inherent danger of such a large church with unsupervised children, especially because strangers frequently come into the building. It happened shortly after he moved to Springdale and happened to walk into the vestibule while another priest was saying a Spanish Mass.
“All these kids,” he recalled, and they weren’t busy praying. They were skating (on wheel-embedded tennis shoes), texting, playing — all without supervision while their parents were at Mass, and there wasn’t an adult in sight.
“I said this is unacceptable, and it’s been in my head ever since,” he continued.
Maria Solis is one parent who didn’t allow her children to be unescorted. In fact, she’s now coordinator of the Guardian Angels ministry. Solis described herself as a “cautious mother” and she readily accepted Father Connell’s request for volunteers. As she explained, she was already waiting at the church each Saturday while her two sons (now ages 8 and 11) attend religious education classes.
“We’re all very excited about (the program),” Solis said about the volunteer group.
The Guardian Angels volunteers stand in the vestibule during each of the two Spanish Masses on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Any children who venture into the area unaccompanied by an adult are quickly directed back by the Guardian Angels on duty. All children must be escorted by a parent or a sibling who’s at least 18 years old — even if, perhaps especially if, the trip is to the bathroom. “Go back and get your mom,” Father Connell said the Guardian Angels tell the children.
A volunteer is also assigned to be on duty during Saturday religious education classes. During that time, no adults are allowed in the old church or the school building or anywhere classes are held, Father Connell explained.
It wasn’t intended to be strictly for the Hispanic community but so far, that’s where the interest and the greatest need has been. About 50 people from the Hispanic community responded to Father Connell’s request for volunteers while only two came from English-speaking parishioners. About 26 people have fulfilled the requirements to participate. Solis said 14 volunteers are being scheduled for the various Mass and religious education assignments.
There is a commitment beyond just showing up. Like all volunteers in the diocese who work with children, the Guardian Angels must go through Virtus training. Additionally, each must be at least 18 years ago, a registered parishioner in good standing and attend monthly educational meetings led by Father Connell.
Solis said the volunteers have encountered some resistance from a few parents. She explained to them that “these are the rules of the church.”
If it were her own children being sent back, Solis said, “I would be so thankful.” She worried about her children being sent alone to the restroom or other places in the church buildings — and she also worried about a child becoming lost and being frightened.
Father Connell was cautious in screening volunteers because he wanted a polite ministry of mature adults. As he spelled out in the guidelines, “This is not a ministry of bullies, but rather angels watching over our children. You are expected to wear a smile, be polite even when confronting children and always be helpful to those who may ask you questions.”
The Guardian Angels can be spotted easily because they wear special vests sewn by other volunteers from St. Raphael. They also wear photo ID cards, each of which is signed by Father Connell.
Solis believes the program will grow as people become more familiar with it and understand the need. So far, she said, “It has worked out wonderfully.”
