Woodworker helps diocese’s vocations effort

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Lew Fick is shown with some of the chalice boxes he crafted to help the diocese’s vocations efforts.

SALT LAKE CITY — Lew Fick, a parishioner of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, put his time, talents and treasures into action by responding to the call of the diocesan Office of Vocations.

Some weeks ago, the vocations office put out a call to all woodworkers in the diocese, asking for help in making chalice boxes that would be used to promote vocations to priestly and religious life. Fick responded by creating not just one but nine chalice boxes.

Fick decided to put his faith into action by following the example of Jesus, “who also was a wood craftsmanship person,” he said.

Having learned wood crafting in high school, he was glad of the chance to put his skills to use. “For me it was something that I just felt like doing,” he said. “Now that I am retired, I had time on my hands.”

Creating the first box took him more than 24 hours, but “by the seventh box it took me about 16 hours to complete,” he said.

The boxes are made to contain a chalice, a rosary and a printed prayer guide. They are being distributed to parishes with the intent that parishioners will take one home after a weekend Mass and pray for vocations during the week. The parishioners are expected to return the box to their parish vocations promoter in preparation for the next family to receive them.

Fick said he hopes that people will use the boxes as they are intended because “we need more vocations.”

Mandi Knaras, assistant in the diocesan Office of Vocations, expressed her gratitude to Fick for “sharing his time and talents. ... Lew has been an answer to prayers for this program to be successful,” she said. “His craftmanship and great care for every detail for these boxes to hold the chalices has been exemplary.”

For information about the chalice boxes, contact  Mandi Knaras in the Office of Vocations, 801-456-9360.