Feast of St. Matthew, September 21, 2008

My name is Elaine Kilijanski and I am a long time parishioner of St. Matthews. I will be speaking about Stewardship and how it has affected both my family and spiritual life.

My parents, William and Dorothy Ashton were one of the first families in the parish in May of 1952. I am one of twelve children born to them. My parents were active in the parish as my father was involved in the Holy Name Society, started the Junior Holy Name, and was a weekly usher while also being involved with many committees and fundraisers.

Dottie Ashton was one of the first members of the Rosary Altar Society, which was formed in 1953, and is one of the past presidents, and is still currently a member. She was a class mother, bingo captain, and still is very active with the carnival and serves as a Eucharistic Minister.

My parents put all twelve children through St. Matthews where we received all of our sacraments. Both my parents shared their time and talent for decades, which is why I am here today to speak to you. My parents were of great inspiration to me and I learned at an early age that “many hands make light work”. Being raised in a household of a dozen children, there were many times when coming to St. Matthews on Sunday morning, was a much needed break from the many chores that were necessary to run our big house. But for me, growing up within site of this great church greatly inspired my soul. A very special evening for me was my 8^th grade graduation where I received the Father Duffy Scholarship. I felt very honored and realized that very night how important this parish is to my family and I. I went on to graduate from St. Peter’s High School and college and was married here. Both my husband Phil and I choose also to have a big family. My children have all attended St. Matthew School and have received their sacraments here.

I am currently employed with JFK Hospital as a mobile intensive care medic and also work another job in order to put all my children through parochial school and college.