St. Katharine Drexel Parish is blessed to have so many volunteers! We are almost to our goal of ‘everyone does something’. Today we highlight one of these volunteers, Jim Reichelt.
Jim is one of our handy men around the office. He retired from his job as a mechanical inspector for the city just about the time we were our opening St. Katharine Drexel Parish Office. God does have perfect timing! Jim helped get us up and running by volunteering almost daily as we built the rectory and office. He also helped haul desks, filing cabinets and furniture that had been donated to us.
Jim grew up in a Catholic family and he said that giving back time, talent and treasure was instilled in him from childhood. His parents, Ann and Velmar Reichelt, were great examples to Jim and his brothers and sister. They took care of the minor seminary where O’G Jr. High is now. Jim now cares for his mom who is 93.
Jim was a sheet metal worker for 32 years for Tessier’s before he took on the mechanical inspector position with the city. Now that he is retired, he works ‘as needed’ for the Sioux Falls Catholic Schools doing anything and everything from delivering lunches and doing dishes to cleaning floors, etc. He has also been able to work at Cliff Ave. Greenhouse during early spring. His love of gardening has been a blessing to many. He has planted a large garden on the ‘holy land’ down at St. Michael Parish for many years and tithes a good portion of the produce to The Banquet.
Around the office, Jim helps with lawn care, planted the bushes, keeps the outdoor equipment in good repair, sets up and takes down the outdoor nativity and Christmas tree, does repairs in the office and rectory, hauls cans to the recycler, and, yes, he does do windows! One of his favorite volunteer activities is to deliver all of your Christmas donations to the various charities.
Jim serves as a Sacristan, is a member of the Building Construction Committee and the Building Non-Worship Space Committee, and you can find him every Sunday morning in adoration in the Chapel at St. Michael Parish.
Jim said that he is most thankful for his wife, Mary, other family members, his church, health and friends. He also said that giving of his time, talents and treasure fills him with a good feeling of doing for others, especially those in need. He said that he has had a good life even with the bumps along the way.
