By Fr. Tom Clark, SJ
Roderick and Betty Wells met in chemistry class at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and have been together ever since. Betty taught for 35 years, while Rod pursued a career in the U.S. Navy, retired as a captain, and then worked for the city as assistant director for mosquito control. But, most importantly, they raised a beautiful family. When it was time to retire, they knew their next act would be about service to others.
“We worked all our lives; sitting around the house was not going to work for us,” said Rod. “Helping others is what works for us.”
“When we were growing up, we didn’t have a lot, but my father always taught us not to forget to help others,” Betty added. “The scriptures tell us to serve the needy and the poor.”
The couple determined that the best place to start was where they lived and worshipped, at Immaculate Conception Church in Baton Rouge, where they have been parishioners since 1980. And serve they do! They are eucharistic ministers and members of the Beautification Committee that decorates the church for the liturgical seasons. They are dedicated to the St. Vincent de Paul Society and parish food pantry. Each month, they help coordinate teams of parish volunteers who provide meals at several St. Vincent de Paul shelters. Every Tuesday, they can be found at the church sorting out deliveries of food and making up bags alongside a resolute crew of volunteers. Not only do they visit homes to assess people’s needs, but they also deliver food and supplies when needed. On Wednesdays, Betty interviews neighbors who need rent and utility assistance.
Rod and Betty are quick to point out that they are not alone. They work with many other parish volunteers who help decorate the church, distribute food and facilitate assistance. When they are together, working hard, there is always laughter – a testament to the joy of serving.
“We are blessed to see ages 71 and 70, so we want to give back and help others. People are so generous,” Betty said, citing other parishioners’ donations of furniture and clothing. “We have started having ‘pop-up fairs’ to give out donations. We have met so many wonderful people. Immaculate Conception Church is our home and its members are family. We all work together to make a difference. We are the beneficiaries because it keeps us active and in good health.”
Beyond the parish, Betty and Rod are members of Together Baton Rouge, a faith-based community organizing group, and they serve with AARP in Gonzales, Louisiana, where the motto is “to serve and to be served.” As vice president, Betty coordinates visits to nursing homes with gifts for the residents.
They also travel to the state capitol and advocate for the needs of seniors with elected officials. They have appeared on local television to drum up support for Pat’s Coats for Kids, a local, annual drive to collect winter coats for children.
As a member of the Scotlandville High School Alumni Association, Rod is involved with renovating a former firehouse into a youth center for neighborhood kids. As a veteran, he serves on the USS Kidd Naval War Memorial Commission.
Rod jokes that he tells Betty to remember what NAVY means, Never Again Volunteer Yourself. He smiled and said, “But I know we always will.”
Father Tom Clark, SJ, is pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
