St. Olaf religious education director retires after 36 years

Intermountain Catholic

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Jerrie Lou Barrett is retiring as DRE and administrative assistant at St. Olaf Parish in June.

BOUNTIFUL — Jerrie Lou Barrett started working as a religious education teacher at Saint Olaf Parish in 1974 when her oldest son, Lou Barrett, was going to be confirmed, and is retiring with the confirmation of Lou’s son Jack Barrett, who received the sacrament May18 at Saint Olaf Parish. Barrett will retire June 30.

"I never thought I would be in the program for this many years," she said. "I have seen a lot of changes."

Barrett’s three sons went to parochial school, and so did she, but felt the public school children in the CCD program were blamed for things that went wrong. "I felt religious education children should get fair treatment, so I began teaching the confirmation class because they needed a teacher," she said. "I came back the next year as the seventh-grade teacher and taught continuously from 1975 to 1989."

She became the religious education coordinator in 1987 and went through the Master Catechist Training in 1989. She became the director of religious education (DRE) in 1990, and replaced Daughter of Charity Sister Rosanna McNeary.

"I know our faith is going to be carried on, especially when I see the children come back as adults to Mass with their children," said Barrett, who has been the DRE for 36 years. "I know the education foundation I gave them is there and I know our faith will go on."

In 1992, Barrett became the administrative assistant to St. Olaf’s pastor, Msgr. Rudolph Daz, but she remained as the DRE. "I’ve enjoyed being the administrative assistant because it is what I did when I worked in the public sector," she said. "I worked in finance for the State Tax Commission for many years and for Eaton Kenway, and finance is what this job involves. I maintain the budgets, make sure the grounds are cared for and also that St. Olaf has a good presence in the community. Of course, Msgr. Daz has played a big role in what I do. It is his calming presence that has been of greatest value to me. He forces me to step back and really survey a situation, whereas I would just forge ahead. I will miss seeing him every day because he is so comforting."

"Jerrie did a very good job as DRE for the parish and then we appointed her administrative assistant," said Msgr. Daz. "She takes care of the finances, appointments, and all kinds of things that go on in the parish. She has done an excellent job. I’ve enjoyed working with her. She is very capable and efficient."

Deacon Dan Essary will replace Barrett as DRE and administrative assistant. "The catechists that Jerrie has worked with and the employees in the parish office are going to miss her dearly," said Deacon Essary. "She has developed the religious education program into what it is today. The transition we are going through in the office is seamless. We will miss her, but she will still be a member of our parish family. I look forward to working with everybody and continuing on in the tradition she left and in making the religious education program more vibrant."

Barrett is apprehensive about retirement because she has always worked. "I thought if I get bored I can always see if I can get a job in a book store or volunteer at the library. That is my dream," she said.