The Wilson story began 32 years ago when Ron and Joyce met in high school. After dating for five years, they were married in September of 1982, at St. Albert Church in Burbank. After moving to Palos Heights, the Wilsons joined St. Alexander Parish. As a young married couple, their volunteer work began when Joyce took on the role as a pre-school religion teacher in the parish.
Ron and Joyce moved to Homer Township in 1988 and began a search for a new parish. After visiting several other churches in the area, they attended Mass at St. Joseph Church. As soon as they walked in the door, they knew that St. Joseph was the place they were looking for their family. Like many others before them and many to follow, the sense of family and community was unlike any other place.
In January of 1989, the Wilson’s were blessed with their first child, Brittany. Brittany was baptized in the St. Joseph Chapel in April and then, Jeff came along in September 1990 and was baptized in the church. Christina was born in March 1994 and also baptized in the beautiful St. Joseph Church. Brittany and Jeff both began school at District #92 in Lockport and attended Religious Education classes here at St. Joseph. When Jeff was to begin second grade Religious Education, there was a need for a Catechist for his grade. The start of their volunteer work at St. Joseph began when Joyce took the Catechist teacher position. Joyce continued her dedication and volunteered her time as the second grade Catechist for the next six years. What a blessing it was to help guide so many special children through their First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, including two of her own children!
While Brittany and Jeff were happy in the public school system, Ron and Joyce knew that something was missing. While the children were in small Religious Education classes, they realized that they knew more people from St. Joseph than their local schools. Through their involvement in the parish, they began to form friendships and relationships with the St. Joseph community. It was at a mass during Catholic Schools Week that changed all of the lives of the Wilson’s and St. Joseph profoundly. It was the speech given by the principal of St. Joseph School, Jackie Chairamonte that made them realize that St. Joseph School was the place they wanted their children to be. “While it was a little scary transferring Brittany and Jeff out of their current school where they were happy and doing very well, we felt that they were missing out on something. Boy, were we right! All that it took was a tour during a school day to know that this was the place for our kids. St Joseph not only gave our kids an excellent education, they gave them a loving and wonderful spiritual foundation that will be with them for all of their lives.”
In the fall of 1999, all three Wilson children started school at St. Joseph. Brittany in 5th grade, Jeff in 3rd, and Christina started Kindergarten. Before the first day of school, Sister Caroline had Joyce’s name on her list of volunteers. While Joyce didn’t realize what she had gotten into, Sr. Caroline had found a dedicated volunteer that she couldn’t live without. While Joyce started out as a room mother for the class, before she knew it she was the kindergarten gym teacher twice a week, and classroom aid a couple of days a week. Yes, Sr. Caroline had a found herself more than a dedicated volunteer, she had Joyce there everyday to offer her assistance. By the time Christina started all day kindergarten, Joyce had no time for her part time job anymore, as she was helping as a classroom aid everyday, still teaching gym classes and now, directing the Kindergarten play. As only Sister Caroline could, she convinced Ron to build some of the set for the Kindergarten play. Like Joyce, he couldn’t turn down Sr. Caroline or her requests. In fact, the troll bridge made for the play is still a special part of the Wilson’s backyard landscaping. While the tasks were many, Ron and Joyce jumped in and helped in any way that they could.
At the end of their first year at St. Joseph School, Joyce was asked to take over as president of the Parents Club for the next two years. When expressing her concerns about all of the work it involved, she was told that “it would be a piece of cake after Sister Caroline and Kindergarten.” While Joyce has never shared whether the Parents Club work was a piece of cake in comparison, one factor is for certain. The Parents Club organization benefited from Joyce’s dedication and involvement. Whenever Joyce was a part of the St. Joseph activities, there were a few commonalities that were always noted. Everyone enjoyed working with Joyce and for Joyce. She had a natural manner that made all around her feel welcome and important. The environment that was created when Joyce was involved was truly Christian and welcoming. Her warm smile, kind heart, and good soul endeared Joyce to many…..both young and old. When Joyce was involved, one didn’t need to look too far to find Ron in the background. They were quite a team when they paired up to volunteer. Whether someone was a part of the school, a part of Religious Education, or a part of the parish, Joyce and Ron were well known friendly faces that made everyone feel welcome and a part of the community.
It wasn’t long before Ron was tapped on the shoulder to assist in a leadership role at St. Joseph School. He jumped into the volunteer ring as well by signing on as a coach for the next nine years and working on the Athletic Board for three years. He was an assistant coach for Brittany’s volleyball and basketball teams, assistant coach for Jeff’s basketball and co-ed volleyball teams, assistant coach for Christina’s volleyball teams, and head coach for her basketball team. Joyce coached for six years as head coach for Christina’s volleyball teams and assistant coach for her basketball team. They even survived coaching together! When the school community looked toward starting a Super Bowl Committee, they did not need to look too far. Before they knew it, they were signed up and serving on the committee for the Parish Super Bowl Parties. Making a tremendous impact for St. Joseph, they co-chaired on the Oktoberfest committee running the food court for seven years. In 2008, they transitioned the chairmanship of the food committee to new co-chairs. Working along side new co-chairs and transition seven years of detailed information, the food committee continues to thrive using the practices and notes that Ron and Joyce have left behind.
As her children grew in faith at St. Joseph, Joyce continued her role as Catechist in a new capacity. She was the Catechist for her nephew Mike (and another junior high student) through their first Reconciliation and Holy Communion. She caught them up to join their 8th grade class where they prepared for Confirmation. It was a very proud day for Aunt Joyce and Uncle Ron, Mike’s Godfather and Confirmation sponsor, as they shared in his faith journey throughout the years. Joyce continued her assistance with the Religious Education Program as a Confirmation Catechist for Jeff and Christina’s 8th grade classes. When asked about her continued involvement, Joyce simply answered. “It was such a blessing to be a part of something as wonderful with the children of the parish and my own at such a special time!”
Ron and Joyce made a commitment to the community of St. Joseph. Their commitment hasn’t ended when their children finished their schooling or received their sacraments. St. Joseph has been home to their family for many years. While there may be churches closer to their home, St. Joseph is their home. The home where their children received the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Communion, and Confirmation and that home remains an important part of their life. Just as St. Joseph has been an important part of their life, their continued service and volunteer work has as well. When asked about their continued support and involvement, they explain the importance of St. Joseph to their family in this way. “St Joseph’s really has been a blessing to our family. We have been lucky enough to work with some of the most wonderful people in the world. We have had some of the best times of our lives here at St. Joe’s and made some truly wonderful friendships….so many special people that will have a special place in our hearts forever.” In the same way, the legacy that the Wilson family continues to share will have a special place in the heart of many in the community of St. Joseph.
