Florida Catholic | Women of Faith

WOMEN OF FAITH

Serving God and people comes naturally to cathedral secretary.

This is the first in an occasional series profiling women who have made a lasting
difference in the lives of the members of the church in northwest Florida.

THERESA CHMIEL | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 10.19.07

Rita Reynolds shows off her desktop photo of her dog Bernie to co-worker Lyn Smith at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, where Reynolds has been a member of the parish staff for 35-plus years.
PEGGY DEKEYSER | FC

PENSACOLA | Sometimes there are angels in our midst, sometimes living saints. Then there is Rita Reynolds. The 87-year-old mother of 11, grandmother of 26 and great-grandmother of 21 refused to be made out to be something she isn't. "I'm just a person," she said, "I'm no one special."

There are many people who would disagree. "Rita is really a living saint," said Msgr. Michael Reed, rector of the Cathedral of Sacred Heart where Reynolds has served as church secretary for more than 35 years. Her dedication to the church and love of Christ is immeasurable, he said. She's a tireless worker, arriving every day before 9 a.m. and not going home until everything is done, often after 6 or 7 p.m. On Wednesdays she stays through choir practice, a passion she has enjoyed for more than 15 years.

But Reynolds' work doesn't end at the parish office. She has been a member of the Sanctuary Society for more than 35 years and served as its president in 1973. She was a regent for the Catholic Daughters before it disbanded and deanery president.

"Her whole life has been dedicated to serving God and serving people and the needs of the church whatever they may be," Msgr. Reed said. "She's just an amazing person. She does her work with a glad heart and willingness to serve God and others. I have never heard her say no to the things that need to be done. She always seems to be able to find a way to say yes and make it happen," he said, "She does everything — washes, cooks, cleans, irons purificators — but she does not sew!"

"My mother was a seamstress," explained Reynolds. "She was adamant that my sisters and I learned to sew properly. I would rather help Daddy fix a leaky pipe than sew!" It's a bargain, she said, she made with God early on. "I'll do anything he asks, except sew!" Her clear, deep blue eyes reveal a mischievous twinkle.

Other than begrudgingly learning to sew, Reynolds' childhood was happy in a home filled with laughter and seven siblings. She credits her parents, William and Rita Alfred, with teaching her to love God and keep a strong faith. "My parents were great role models," she said, "They enjoyed going to church and sharing community with others."

Sacred Heart Church was certainly intertwined in her family's history. Her grandfather, A.D. Alfred, was the contractor who built the first church at Ninth Avenue and Jackson. When that church was destroyed by the hurricane in 1906, her family helped start the new church on 12th Avenue.

She graduated from Sacred Heart School in 1937 and attended Pensacola High School. She continued to strengthen her Catholic faith throughout her high school years by participating in the Newman Club and the Catholic Youth Organization. "It was just what we did," she said, "It was a way of life."

Being part of the church was an extension of her large family. When she married Winston Reynolds in 1942 and started a family of her own, they continued that tradition. All 11 children went to Sacred Heart School and then to the newly established Catholic High School. Her oldest child graduated in 1960 and her youngest in 1979. Throughout those years, Reynolds sat on her share of bleachers. "All the kids were involved in sports," she said, "When I die, if someone tells me to go take a seat in the bleachers I will know I am not in heaven!" There's that twinkle again.

Many who meet her immediately recognize her strong faith. "She radiates warmth," said longtime cathedral parishioner Walter Seely. "You can tell she really loves what she does and that she loves the people of this parish." Seely and his wife, Shellee, know Reynolds as a friendly face who makes everyone feel welcome. "I think she must know everybody in the parish by name," he said.

Reynolds admits she has never met a stranger. Seely agrees. "Even if she doesn't exactly remember your name, she makes you feel like she does — like you're the most important person she has talked to all day."

Her passionate spirit and enthusiasm spill over onto everything she does. From "bleacher mom" to Sanctuary Society president to choir member to church secretary, Reynolds demonstrates her tremendous love for God and others.

Sitting across from her, one wouldn't guess the pain she has endured in life. She just doesn't show it. But Reynolds has seen her share of tragedy. Her youngest child, Joe, was in a car accident just weeks after graduating from Catholic High. He was on his way home from his first day at college when he was hit by a truck and suffered irreversible brain damage. Every day before work, Reynolds went to care for her "baby" at the hospital. Each night, she and her husband would return. She kept the vigil for more than four years until Joe died. Nothing shook her faith in God. "I never blamed God or got angry. I prayed every day."

She drew her strength from God to help her through her most difficult times. "I was glad to have Ralph Joseph with me as long as I did," she said, "My faith kept me going — I never regretted anything."

Reynolds continues to demonstrate her tremendous love for God and others. "I think you can always find time to do the things you love," said Reynolds. And she loves the church.

To nominate a woman for inclusion in this series, please send your name, daytime phone and e-mail, along with the name and contact information for the woman, to dekeyserp@ptdiocese.org

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WOMEN OF FAITH

Serving God and people comes naturally to cathedral secretary.

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