Jim and Nancy Bell joined St. Francis Xavier Parish (SFX) in Kansas City, Mo., in 2008 after being invited by friends to visit. They were drawn to the welcoming and diverse community with its emphasis on social justice. Together, they volunteer in the food pantry and are members of the SFXcellent Walkers and Runners who raise money for Catholic Charities in the annual Outpace Poverty Walk (recruiting family and friends to do the same).
Jim is the one whose fingerprints can be found throughout the parish. He quickly got involved and joined the Sister Parish Committee, organizing trips to visit the parish’s Sister Parish of St. Martin de Porres in Belize City, Belize. “The Beer Guy,” as he is now known, also volunteered to help and now organizes the SFX Beverage Tent at the Kansas City Irish Fest every year (with proceeds going to St. Martin de Porres).
Jim is also a member of the building committee. He is an engineer and excellent handyman who has volunteered on numerous repair projects at SFX – including replacing all the wood on the raised beds of the community garden during COVID lockdown.
Jim can be seen at the Christmas Eve Family Mass, Easter Sunday and other big events directing traffic in the parking lot, setting up extra chairs and ushering – always with a warm smile and a calm spirit.
Jim and Nancy Bell are just two of the dozens of generous volunteers who make the parishes in this province stronger and better able to fulfill their missions. We count on them and thank God for them.