There for the God who’s there for her

By Michael Pare

Anchor Correspondent

WAREHAM, Mass. — Everyone, it seems, has that time or place when they feel they are closest to God.

For Theresa Tripp, that time and place may well be on a cold winter morning at St. Anthony’s, the small mission church on Gault Road in West Wareham that is among the ministries of St. Patrick’s Parish on High Street in Wareham. 

“When it is winter and you are the only one there and you are locking up … it is just so peaceful,” she said.

Tripp is one of the sacristans for her parish. She is one of those unassuming individuals who dutifully prepare all of the things needed to make holy Mass possible. It’s a soup to nuts job.

Tripp unlocks the door and turns on the heat on Saturdays. She carefully prepares the altar, ensuring that the linens are in place and that the candles have not burned too low. If there happens to be a visiting priest there to celebrate Mass, she will show him where to find everything. 

Preparing the church for holy Mass is a simple gift, as Tripp sees it. It is the least she can do. And yet, it is also a profound act. It brings her closer to God.

“God has been very good to me,” said Tripp. “He answers my prayers. Not always exactly how I ask, but I know that I am never alone.”

And that is how she sees it. Serving as a sacristan is something she can do for God, and so she does.

“I know that we all have talents,” she said. “But I don’t feel that I….”

Her voice trails off. She is a humble person and what she means is that she doesn’t see herself doing anything special. She is there for God, simple as that. 

“When he needs me to do something, he directs me through someone to go and do it,” she said. “I know that may sound funny.”

But it doesn’t sound funny at all. It sounds like faith — like serving God.

Consider a typical Saturday Mass at St. Anthony’s. Several of the older parishioners routinely arrive early. It is the focal part of their day. Tripp greets them warmly as they enter the church. They often sit together.

“They look forward to seeing me,” she said.

It is such a routine that if one of the “regulars” doesn’t show, Tripp will call after Mass and check on them.       

“I’ll call to make sure there isn’t anything wrong,” she said.

While Tripp serves as a sacristan on Saturdays, her friend Claire Gordon fills that role on Sundays. It was Gordon who inspired Tripp. She said that she has always admired the quiet way in which Gordon served the parish and the way she spends so much time simply helping others. Tripp could have been describing herself.   

Father Arnold R. Medeiros, the former pastor at St. Patrick’s Parish who  is now at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in North Falmouth, said he was always impressed by the dedication that Tripp showed to her faith.

“Even without my asking, she was always doing something,” he said. “She is just so dedicated. I was always very grateful to her.”

Especially, he said, on those cold Saturday mornings. The fact that Father Medeiros knew he could depend on Tripp to open up the church and turn on the heat meant a lot. He remembers well many days in which Tripp grabbed a shovel and made sure the walk was clear of snow.

 “It was such a big help,” he said. “All parishes need someone like that, a person who works behind the scenes. She does everything so quietly.”

Tripp grew up in New Bedford. Going to Mass was a part of the fabric of her childhood. She said that when she was first married, for a time, she drifted away from Church. But then something happened and she can’t help but think it was God at work. She and her husband purchased a home. It was just a couple of doors down from St. Anthony’s. Her faith was rekindled. It all made sense. It was as if God had placed her there. 

“God has always been there,” she said.

Tripp has been active at the parish for 30 years. It has always been her rock. She has given so much to it, but has also received so much in return. 

Tripp’s four children are all grown. She has been blessed with eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Spending time with them provides her with a constant reminder of God’s kindness. He has indeed, been good to her.

And so preparing St. Anthony’s for Mass is the least she can do. Winter is approaching. She will make sure the rock salt is in place. 

“But I am getting older,” she said. “I may need to find someone to shovel.”

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