By Kelley Kepler
Catholic Herald

Former Cable resident finds joy in lay ministry

EAU CLAIRE --It was by attending the 1993-94 lay ministry formation class, the first of such classes offered in the Superior diocese, that former Cable resident Helen Motyka discovered "the most rewarding aspect of (her) life."

At the time, Motyka was a third grade teacher at Drummond School and a member of St. Ann Parish. She signed up for the lay ministry class at the suggestion of Fr. John P. Slowey, a retired St. Ann pastor who now resides in Phillips.

Before taking the class, she thought lay ministry was something that only took place in the church. She has since realized, "belief in church and God isn't just in the church building but throughout everyday life." Motyka said the class has helped her to live her faith and gain the confidence to go and reach out to people in need.

She began her outreach by volunteering at a hospice and has been active in hospice work ever since. Helping with whatever needs to be done, Motyka often finds herself sitting with patients and relieving care givers so they aren't tied down for 24 hours a day. Occasionally she stays up all night with dying patients and their family members.

Motyka retired early from teaching and moved to Eau Claire in 1999. "I thought it was time to retire, and I needed a change," she said. She has no idea why Eau Claire was her destination of choice, but she somehow knew that, "If I ever moved anywhere from Cable, it would be to Eau Claire."

"I also wanted a chance to do more volunteering, and now I have more opportunities than I have time to do," said Motyka. In addition to visiting hospice patients, she now volunteers for Special Olympics, the Salvation Army and works at homeless shelters.

She volunteers at Community Table, a non-denominational organization in which each church takes turns serving full noon meals to the poor. She also participates in jail ministry programs aimed at rehabilitation and helping former inmates get back on their feet.

In addition, Motyka began training sessions with the Red Cross and was certified for national disasters. From then on, she has been called to help when disasters strike.

Each Red Cross assignment typically lasts three weeks, and Motyka's average work day is about 12 hours long. As a volunteer, she works with people who have lost everything. The Red Cross gives them the essentials: food, clothing and shelter, so that they can step back and make important decisions. "If they're just stuck worrying about their daily existence, it's more difficult for them to make long term plans," she said.

"I love what I am doing; I really enjoy it," said Motyka. "The disasters are so global, and the people become like family once you start working with them. It seems like you're working with your own community and neighbors."

After 9/11, Motyka went to New York and then to Washington, D.C. She served families and individuals who lost their homes or jobs. She also worked at a hotline, which was run through a church, that gave people a place to call if they needed assistance.

In February of 2002, Motyka went to Oklahoma to aid people who were effected by the ice storm that covered some areas with six to eight inches of ice. "Every power line was down, and some people didn't have power for three months," she said. There Motyka made frequent home visits and took food to senior citizens and people without access to transportation.

Soon afterward, she found herself in Kentucky helping flood victims in the Appalachians. Motyka said this assignment was particularly difficult because these were "people who didn't have much to begin with and lost what little they had."

On Oct. 27, Motyka returned from her most recent assignment. She was sent to New Orleans after Hurricane Isadore, and after only a few days, Hurricane Lili began to threaten the same area. Volunteers were evacuated and moved to Baton Rouge, where they helped others prepare for the hurricane.

Motyka was also among the volunteers that rushed to Ladysmith after the disastrous tornado on Labor Day. The Ladysmith tornado hit much closer to home, and she said, "It really bothered me because it was so local, and these people were family."

The closer she gets to the emergency victims, the more difficult it can be to help. "It is hard," Motyka said. "Sometimes I just have to get up and walk away and take a few deep breaths. But it's not hard to feel empathy for these people." She added, "When I'm working on these disasters, my problems seem very small."

Motyka's faith is what lifts her up during these difficult times. Her great faith allows her to continue loving and serving those in need. She said, "You know that everything is going to be OK. It's hard at the time, but nothing is permanent, especially the bad times when you find yourself getting down."

She said her goal is to "give people hope for the future." Her reward comes from giving people something positive to hang onto. "Even if you help them temporarily, it's like you're giving them a million dollars on a silver platter," she said. "They think you have done so much, and you wish there was more that you could do."

Since returning to Eau Claire, Motyka continues to volunteer and also works as a substitute teacher. She has vowed to stick around Eau Claire long enough to pay her bills. However, she said this resolution may only last until the next time the Red Cross calls about a disaster.

"I enjoy subbing, but there are so many other things I could be doing. I would like to be able to do more volunteer work and help wherever I'm needed," she said while reflecting on the vocation that makes her truly happy.

Her friend Helen King, another former resident of Cable, said Motyka is "happy as an angel doing God's work with love and compassion."

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2002